In this issue:

SAAMNEWSLETTER

PAGE 1Newsletter OverviewPAGE 2-3Staff IntroductionsPAGE 4SARC’s Remote ServicesPAGE 5Tips & Tricks for Safe and Pleasurable CybersexPAGE 6Ways to Interrupt Zoom-Bombing In Your ClassesPAGE 7-9 Self-Care KitsPAGE 10-11Trauma In A Global PandemicPAGE 12We Want To Hear From You!Page 13Upcoming Events

SPRING 2020

A collaboration between the Survivor Advocacy & Resource Center, Prevention and Wellness, the Women and Gender Center, and CAPS

Newsletter Overview:Read on for information on how SARC is providing support to survivors, some tips for safe cybersex, a survey to get your input on a Survivor Resource Booklet, a few suggestions for interrupting Zoombombing, Self-Care Kit ideas; information on the upcoming Reclaiming Resilience, and a piece about Trauma in the Global Pandemic. We hope you enjoy!

Edited by: Caitlin Carew (they/them, ASOSU Womxn’s Affairs) and Maya Mendoza (Wellness Agents)

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Staff IntroductionsThis newsletter was created in collaboration with:

Becca Williams (she/her): Hi there! I’m Becca, the (relatively new) Director of the Survivor Advocacy & Resource Center. I’m so excited to be bringing this collaborative newsletter to you all! We thought it would be a good idea to let you know a little bit about how we’re supporting survivors and their allies through this uniquely challenging time. We recognize that survivors, and particularly survivors with minoritized identities, may be experiencing a re-traumatization or an increased threat to their safety. This time can be lonely and difficult. We’re here for you.

Whitney Archer (they/she):Hello! I’m Whitney and I direct the Hattie Redmond Women & Gender Center (HRWGC), one of OSU’s seven cultural resource centers. The HRWGC is home to the AYA Womxn of Color Initiative, our emerging Masculinity Explorations program. We employ a team of student staff who are dedicated to supporting survivors and we hope you engage with us through this year’s virtual Reclaiming Resilience (more info below). We also invite you to join follow us on social media and to join our listservs to stay connected – contact us at HR.WGC@oregonstate.edu

Sahana Prasad (she/her):Hi everyone! I’m Sahana Prasad, the Coordinator of Interpersonal Violence Services at CAPS. In my role, I provide supportive, identity-informed trauma therapy to survivors. I also collaborate with SARC, the CRCs, and other campus units to ensure that OSU resources are responsive and accessible to every OSU survivor, across identity and experience.

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Amanda Stevens (she/her):Hi! I’m Amanda, the Sexual Health Coordinator at OSU, I work in collaboration with campus partners and students to raise awareness and increase education on campus around the topics of healthy sexuality, reproductive health, consent, and healthy relationships.

Staff IntroductionsThis newsletter was created in collaboration with:

Elizabeth Kennedy (she/her):Hi folks! I’m Elizabeth Kennedy and I serve as the Sexual Violence Prevention Specialist at OSU. In my role I utilize theory-driven and evidence-informed practices to foster safe, supportive, and inclusive environments on campus and to educate on ways we at OSU can reduce sexual violence on campus.

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We’re here for you, and ready to support you. We’re offering phone or Zoom advocacy appointments as well as online support groups. We’re making outreach to different groups on campus to let them know that we’re operating remotely, and we will continue to make progress toward our goal of working collaboratively to create, promote, and expand inclusive and equitable spaces for survivors.

Please call our 24/7 line at (541) 737-2030, email us at survivoradvocacy@oregonstate.edu, or make an appointment here or on our website: https://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/sarc.

SARC’s Remote ServicesBy: Becca Williams

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With social distancing in place and the current recommendation to only interact with individuals residing in your household, sex is looking a little bit different these days. Many individuals are turning to cybersex to scratch the itch, with digital platforms booming in the wake of the pandemic. Maybe you regularly enjoy various types of cybersex, or maybe it’s something you’ve never explored before now. Either way, when thinking about taking your sex life online, there are a few helpful things to remember:

1. Always make sure you’re comfortable with the activity.

2. As always, consent is mandatory. Communicate any and all boundaries you have, expectations for the interaction and/or activity, and make sure that you and whomever you are engaging with are on the same page and in agreement about the arrangement.

3. Make informed decisions about what platforms you use. Depending on what kind of cybersex you’re looking to have, different platforms may fit various needs better than others. Always research the platforms before use, and if you’re engaging with an individual or group of people, discuss potential platforms and mutually decide what may best fit your needs.

Tips and Tricks for Safe and Pleasurable Cybersex

By: Amanda Stevens

Check out more tips and tricks for being “intimate, safe, and sexy” online from the online platform them.us at https://www.them.us/story/cam-sex-video-chat-onlyfans-how-to

Ask your professor(s) to take time in class to cultivate healthy classroom community norms. Ask hard questions and revisit these norms throughout the term! Questions to consider as a class:

1. How would we as a class like to uphold these classroom norms when they are violated?

2. How would you want someone to act on your behalf?

Use Your Active Bystander Skills to Interrupt Problematic behavior! Give a Dam™! Remember, we are working toward a campus free of sexual violence. It’s important to feel confident in calling out problematic behaviors in a virtual space where folks may not know the problematic person, and won’t be able to get a lot of physical cues! Here are ways to call out this behavior:

1. Be Direct: Engage with the person causing harm or person being harassed by addressing the concern you are witnessing.

2. Create a Distract: Attempt to pull the attention of the people involved away from the situation.

3. Delegate to Someone Else: Recruit help by asking or telling others what to do to address the concern.

4. Document What You Witness: It is important to document any violent behavior in your class and to follow up with any of your peers who were harmed. You can always consult with campus resource like SARC, the Bias Incident Response Team, and EOA.

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Ways to Interrupt Zoom-Bombing In Your

ClassesBy: Elizabeth Kennedy

For more information on being an Active Bystander check out this resource from the Prevention & Wellness Team and the Wellness Agents Instagram @osuwellnessagents!

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Activities

Sometimes I just need different activity for a break. For me that can look like doing a reflective or a fun activity book. It can also be coloring in cutesy designs that have cursive words on it, it makes me laugh and laughter always helps! Reading a book that isn’t work related is also a welcomed activity for me that I find relaxing. I also love my Nintendo Switch. To relax I need that sweetness of Animal Crossing (Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is grueling and therefore doesn’t make the self-care cut for me).

Is it just me or does caring for others while working/going to school feel like a bigger effort during a global pandemic? To help myself out when I’m needing a break or feeling a little worked up, I created a Self-Care Kit. It didn’t involve buying anything (bonus!), I just gathered items from my home and put them in an empty basket I had and TADA, I had a Self-Care Kit! Here is what I have in mine, be prepared to learn a little about me!

Self-Care KitsBy: Elizabeth Kennedy

Snacks

My favorite part about anything is the snacks! I keep peppermint tea in my kit because I do find it more calming and relaxing than a fourth cup of coffee. I usually have dark chocolate in there but I’ve already snacked through my supply so the muddy buddies are the place holder. Cheez Its are my favorite snack. Full transparency, that box is empty and is just a prop for this photo.

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Self-Care Kits (continued)By: Elizabeth Kennedy

Reminder Cards

It took a hot minute to write out some reminder cards for myself as well. These usually live right on my desk, but I think of them as part of my Self-Care Kit. If I’m feeling overwhelmed or I’ve hit a decision fatigue wall and need a reminder of what relaxes me I have these helpful cards.

Pampering/Relaxation

Taking some time to do something that feels pampering and relaxing is sometimes what self-care feels like to me. I keep a crystal on hand that helps me feel grounded and some essential oils I like to toss in my diffuser and my favorite candle. I like a face mask and a good lip scrub too!

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I keep my Self-Care Kit right next to my workspace so what I need is right there… the doggos don’t fit in the kit, but they are a part of it. I hope that this tool might be helpful to you! If you already have a Self-Care Kit or if you made one, share what you put in your kit with us! Enjoy!

Self-Care Kits (continued)By: Elizabeth Kennedy

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The current crisis has disrupted our day-to-day lives, and has required all of us to adjust to rapidly changing circumstances. This might feel particularly turbulent for those who have a history of trauma – even if that trauma is in no way related to physical health or sickness.

Living through a global pandemic is itself a trauma. We understand trauma as an event/experience that overwhelms our brain’s ability to cope, and upsets our sense of safety and security. When we experience a trauma, our brain and body automatically respond with one of three survival responses: fight, flight, or freeze. However, in our current situation, our options are limited: we can’t actively fight against or run away from this global threat. Instead, we’re left to wait, meaning we’re experiencing a collective freeze response.

As a result, you may be finding yourself sluggish, spaced out, exhausted, or unable to focus on homework– these are all perfectly normal reactions. Be gentle with yourself and adjust your expectations for “productivity” – you don’t have to try a new workout or learn a new skill, it’s okay if all you did today was make breakfast and play Animal Crossing. Remember that you’re doing the best you can.

Trauma In A Global PandemicBy: Sahana Prasad

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Being disconnected from our normal supports and coping strategies during this time may also bring previous trauma to the surface. You may find yourself feeling jumpy, numbness, guilt, irritability, depression, anxiety, and more. You might be re-experiencing painful memories or physical sensations related to your trauma. You may even be feeling an eerie sense of calm or preparedness. All of these are normal ways for our bodies to react to trauma and stress.

You have the capacity to heal and survive this, just as you have before. Healing looks different for each of us, and does not happen in a straight line – be patient and compassionate with yourself (try this guided loving-kindness meditation if you need some inspiration!), allow yourself the space to experience the full breadth your emotions. Remember that CAPS and SARC are here to support and guide you in process.

Trauma in a Global Pandemic (continued)

By: Sahana Prasad

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The OSU Survivor Advocacy & Resource Center (SARC), in collaboration with OSU's Prevention & Wellness Team, is developing a resource book for survivors, and we want to hear from you! We're gathering survivor's feedback to guide the creation of this resource book, so please submit any and all ideas for what makes you feel good, hopeful, or restored. All suggestions will be anonymous. The suggestions you provide can center on what brings you joy and solace, and what you imagine might do the same for others. They don't need to specifically relate to your survivorship or trauma. To share your suggestions, please fill out the form found here or at: https://forms.gle/7csnTeN84FoGZXGF8.

We Want To Hear From You!

A Resource Booklet for Survivors

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Reclaiming Resilience

The Hattie Redmond Women & Gender Center along with campus collaborators will host our 2nd Annual Reclaiming Resilience event virtually this year! Reclaiming Resilience was an event that started in the Spring of 2019 in response to womxn of color and queer and trans people of color being hurt and gaslit by institutional racism at OSU. While we know that sexual violence cannot be eliminated through one event, we do believe that sharing art is powerful and can be healing for folks.

This year, we have two different options of participating in Reclaiming Resilience:

1) We Are Resilient Collective Poem

This year for Reclaiming Resilience we will be creating a "We Are Resilient" poem. This is adapted from an "I Am From Poem", please see this link on what an "I Am From Poem" is: https://n.pr/2yJRPCW. We are accepting poems that show resilience, care, hurt, and healing from all types of violence. Our hope is to turn this poem into an audio poem with those that want to participate with that.

Submission Form: https://bit.ly/2V9iXUZ

2) Reclaiming Resilience Zine

We will be creating a zine full of art that centers the experiences and resilience of survivors and highlights the importance of taking action against sexual assault. We would love for this to be a collective zine filled with your art, love letters to survivors, and our collective dreams for a better future. Please submit your art below.

Submission Form: https://bit.ly/2JYSJy1

Upcoming Events