Sexual assault victim's program to begin mid-February
Kelsey Anagnos
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Community
A 10-week sexual assault survivors therapy group, led by local psychotherapist Terri Spahr Nelson will be held in Oxford mid-February through the end of the semester.
The group will meet weekly to discuss issues of sexual assault and abuse on Miami University's campus.
Nelson, who has experience providing individual and group counseling to sexual assault victims, said she wants to help students feel comfortable coming forward about their experiences.
"It is not OK for someone to have sex with you if you are highly intoxicated or even blacked out (because) in this state you are not able to give consent," Nelson said.
Nelson said most women who come to the sexual assault groups know the person who has sexually assaulted them.
Nelson also said alcohol often plays a large role in sexual assaults on college campuses. "Sometimes women have trouble identifying it as sexual assault because they aren't able to remember all of it." Nelson said.
Another main goal of the program is to help women understand that they are not alone and that many other women are coping with the situation similarly.
Jane Goettsch, an adjunct instructor and director of Miami University's Women's Center, said she stands behind the therapy group because it is a great and necessary tool to offer Miami students.
"It's so important for Miami students to be aware of the reality of sexual assault on college campuses and the many services available to those who experience it," Goettsch said.
Miami junior Jess Emerick said the organization is a good way to present the issue of sexual assault on the university's campus.
"I think it's a great organization that will help raise awareness on campus," she said.
Miami junior Abby Bachman agreed and said sexual assault is more prevalent than people might think.
"It's a lot more common than you would think but people are too embarrassed to talk about it," she said.
The group is completely confidential and a police report is not required. According to Nelson, often times the women in this types of group are not comfortable going to the police with their situation.
"Most (in attendance) have not gone to the police," Nelson said.
Miami University students interested in enrolling in the group should contact Terri Spahr Nelson at 513-523-0197.
The group will meet weekly to discuss issues of sexual assault and abuse on Miami University's campus.
Nelson, who has experience providing individual and group counseling to sexual assault victims, said she wants to help students feel comfortable coming forward about their experiences.
"It is not OK for someone to have sex with you if you are highly intoxicated or even blacked out (because) in this state you are not able to give consent," Nelson said.
Nelson said most women who come to the sexual assault groups know the person who has sexually assaulted them.
Nelson also said alcohol often plays a large role in sexual assaults on college campuses. "Sometimes women have trouble identifying it as sexual assault because they aren't able to remember all of it." Nelson said.
Another main goal of the program is to help women understand that they are not alone and that many other women are coping with the situation similarly.
Jane Goettsch, an adjunct instructor and director of Miami University's Women's Center, said she stands behind the therapy group because it is a great and necessary tool to offer Miami students.
"It's so important for Miami students to be aware of the reality of sexual assault on college campuses and the many services available to those who experience it," Goettsch said.
Miami junior Jess Emerick said the organization is a good way to present the issue of sexual assault on the university's campus.
"I think it's a great organization that will help raise awareness on campus," she said.
Miami junior Abby Bachman agreed and said sexual assault is more prevalent than people might think.
"It's a lot more common than you would think but people are too embarrassed to talk about it," she said.
The group is completely confidential and a police report is not required. According to Nelson, often times the women in this types of group are not comfortable going to the police with their situation.
"Most (in attendance) have not gone to the police," Nelson said.
Miami University students interested in enrolling in the group should contact Terri Spahr Nelson at 513-523-0197.
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