USU’s ‘Start By Believing Day’ encourages belief for survivors of sexual violence
In an effort to inform people about how to support victims of sexual misconduct, various Utah State University organizations, Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse CAPSA and the Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information office SAAVI honored the annual Start by Believing Day, hosting various pledge booths around campus where people could sign an online pledge to believe victims of sexual misconduct.
“If you feel like someone who can start by believing a victim of sexual assault, we encourage you to take the pledge,” said SAAVI Outreach and Prevention Coordinator Felicia Gallegos, “and to help show that we as a campus are willing to start by believing.”
In 2015, the Utah Legislature declared the first day Wednesday of April “Start By Believing Day,” as a way to spread advocacy for victims of sexual violence. In 2018, USU and CAPSA joined the state in putting an end to stigmatization and victim blaming that affects over 50% of victims at USU.
“Start by Believing Day is a day of awareness, a day where the state of Utah recognizes a need for better responses to victims of sexual assault,” Gallegos said, “We need to improve our response to sexual violence, that is why USU jumped on board with the state of Utah.”
Wednesday, the campus will have booths offering pledges to start by believing people affected by trauma. Pledge booths placed around campus such as the Taggart Student Center, the Merrill-Cazier Library entrance, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute, the Nora Eccles Museum of Art and residence halls had more nformation on the cause and how to pledge.
“Everybody that’s at these booths on Wednesday has been trained to know what it means to start by believing,” Gallegos explained, “we educate everyone who is running the booth so that we can help people understand why supporting victims is so important.”
Over one third of victims at USU never file a complaint due to fear of shame, disbelief, and victim blaming, Gallegos said. Part of the pledge is meant to establish a safer space for victims to come out about their trauma and to know the resources that victims have to get professional help.
“We need to shift our response to survivors when they disclose to us from one of blame to one of belief and support, learning to avoid asking questions about what they were wearing or where they were at the time,” Gallegos continued, “even from well-intentioned people, these questions can sound victim blaming.”
Booths also provide more information on the resources available to victims and also offer ways in which individuals can help victims in everyday social interactions such as standing up to stigma and using “#startbybelieving,” “#usubelieves” and “#usuaggies” on social media to inform others to take the pledge.
“It’s about support and helping others,” SAAVI therapist Gabriela Palomino said, “the sooner we listen the sooner we can help others.”
As a part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Start by Believing Day is the first of many events taking place on campus. For more information about #startbybelieving and future events, visit: www.startbybelieving.usu.edu
@McKayJohnsen
Why not start a burden of truth day lol.