Believing in the notion that issues related to sexualized violence, gender and sexuality are pertinent not only to women but to everyone, Stockton University is opening a new Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Center on its main campus in Galloway Township. To enhance the quality of campus life, the center will serve as a safe, welcoming space for those seeking gender, sexuality and survivor resources. The mission is to serve the entire campus, including Stockton’s instructional sites in Manahawkin, Atlantic City, Hammonton and Woodbine, via Internet resources and outreach programs.
| Photo via Press of AC Stockton President Herman Saatkamp approved the proposal in June. |
“The entire community should address problems such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal relationship violence, bullying and homophobia, and issues such as sexual orientation and parenting if we are to effect political and social change,” the WGSC Faculty Senate Task Force proposal and report state.
To provide advocacy and outreach to students, the center will work with various departments across the university, including the Wellness Center; Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program; Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity; and several student organizations.
In the spring of 2013, faculty and staff responded to student requests for a campus center of this kind and prompted a formal call to action by the Stockton community. An ad hoc committee of faculty, staff, students and community members composed an initial proposal for the center, and the FSTF was formed in January 2014 to further review the center’s mission, responsibilities and required resources. The task force presented a final proposal to the Faculty Senate, which was approved in May, and Stockton President Herman Saatkamp approved the approach in June.
“This project really began with the students; this is their success,” Kristin Jacobson, associate professor of literature and co-chair of the FSTF, stated in a press release. “The students performed the advocacy and worked through the institutional channels. We as faculty and staff members simply supported their seeking of a sustainable resource to provide to the campus community.”
Stockton joins seven of its sister schools in New Jersey that have women’s centers, including Rowan University, The College of New Jersey and Montclair State University.
Initial advocacy projects will address issues such as sexual assault, sexual violence, and gender and sexual identities, including advocacy for additional gender-neutral bathrooms and gender-inclusive practices and policies on campus.
“The center’s focus is on advocacy targeting specific family-friendly issues to make systemic changes transferable to the future workplace,” Jacobson said. “It is a practical effort to build consciousness of the importance of the changing landscape of gender-based issues.”
Osprey Advocates, specially trained volunteers, will support individuals of sexual assault through various methods, including forensic exams, medical systems, police, a campus hearing board and legal proceedings. They will also provide survivors with peer support and empowerment as well as access to resources and information about rights and options.
Since spring 2013, more than 75 advocates have been trained in the national certification program. Currently, 10 advocates are actively volunteering on campus, and some certified advocates are volunteering at off-campus locations.
The center will also partner with the Atlantic County Women’s Center, Student Rights and Responsibilities and Residential Life offices as well as campus police. The WGSC will serve as the primary unit responsible for prevention-oriented programming on campus, including arranging joint programming and training with the ACWC.
Other responsibilities of the center include LGBTQ support, the development of a Safe Zone program for the LGBTQ community and allies, pregnant and parenting student resources and the coordination of the Green Dot bystander intervention program, which is a comprehensive approach to violence prevention.
Cases involving physical or psychological medical issues may be referred to the university’s Health Services or Counseling Services divisions respectively.
Laurie A. Dutton, Stockton’s associate director of Counseling Services, has been named interim director of the center.
“I am excited to return to my professional roots and work again as an advocate for victims and survivors of power-based personal violence,” said Dutton, who also co-chaired the FSTF.
According to the release, Dutton has an extensive background in social work, assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, domestic violence intervention, program and office administration, training programs, collaborative efforts and more. She has worked with AtlantiCare and other health care institutions to provide services in the local community. Prior to her work in New Jersey, Dutton was a social worker for nearly 10 years with Alexandria, Va.’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project. She is a licensed professional counselor and a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor and also has her master’s degree in counseling.
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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