Misty Poe
Austin, Texas
Graduated with a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Math
Superintendent of the Catholic Dioceses of Austin
What should Texas State University do to discourage/condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victim(s) on campus?
“When I was there they implemented the help call boxes which provided comfort and some safety when you’re walking around campus.”What can you do to prevent or help someone that has been sexually assaulted?"
“Victims need to have a safe place to go and speak to someone and they be dealt as a human being and take the situation seriously.”
When asked how Misty’s career has changed her perspective on sexual assault or how she would deal with it she said, “Working in education you hear of it a lot so in my field we have implemented training for men and women to go through to help them avoid being victims of sexual assault.”
Stanley Chang
San Marcos, Texas
Texas State University student
Advertising Major
How would you define sexual assault?
"People touching you in inappropriate places when you don't give your consent."
Have you previously experienced or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?
"I was at a club [in Austin] and we were dancing around and stuff and people came up behind me. I didn't even see them and they grabbed me by the waist. It's not as traumatizing because going to 6th street I kind of knew stuff like that would happen."
Did that experience affect you negatively in any way?
"Yeah, I felt really uncomfortable and embarrassed because I was being touched in front of a bunch of people, including my brother."
What can you do, personally, to prevent sexual assault?
"If you're ever going out with a group of friends maybe make some ground rules for the night and educate each other. Make sure your friends aren't being belligerent or too pushy on others."
Do you feel sexual assault is a problem at Texas State University?
"I have heard of some cases that college students go through, but I don't know if it's one of the big problems on campus. But I do know most of the incidences don't always get reported."
Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?
"I think so. Texas State offers a variety of resources, like the emergency call phone stations, but I feel like they could do more."
What should Texas State University do to discourage/condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victim(s) on campus?
"We have the counseling center, but we could strictly have free counseling for sexual assault victims or just maybe a mandatory sexual assault class. Educating those around us is what's most important."
Sarah McDowell
20 years old
San Marcos, Texas
Texas State University student
Not On My Campus Vice President of Operations
Delta Gamma sorority member
How would you define sexual assault?
"Any form of unwanted sexual contact; so it could be verbal, physical, emotional."
Have you previously experienced or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?
"It was a really long time ago when I was a sophomore in High School. I went to homecoming with a good guy friend of mine. He ended up avoiding me all night and it really pissed me off and I was supposed to go to his house afterwards because he was throwing the afterparty. I ended up going anyways because all my friends were there. When I got there I was in a bad mood, so I started drinking a lot. I ended up getting really intoxicated and going unconscious. Before I did, I remember one of my other guy friends tried helping me and took me into my dates bedroom. At this point I was going in and out so I don't remember all of it but I remember [my date] touching me and making out with me. I was trying to ask my friend to help me so he came in and pulled my date off of me. After that I was unconscious for like two hours so I didn't know what was going on."
Did that experience affect you negatively in any way?
"In some ways. I don't think I have a problem with having relationships because I have since then. But it does make me feel uncomfortable when I know I'm going to be in a large group setting like that again and everyone is drinking I do get a little scared, especially when there are a lot of men. I don't blame myself, but I know that if I hadn't been unconscious I know that wouldn't have happened."What can you do, personally, to prevent sexual assault?
"A part of me is just like we can do a lot, but the other part of me is like we probably aren't going to change much. This has been going on since like the beginning of time. I think just talking about it and not making it such a taboo topic helps. Even though it still happens, I feel like we've come a far way. No one used to talk about this, nor did they care. We turn on the TV now and everyone's talking about it and I think that's great."
Do you feel sexual assault is a problem in Texas State University?
"I think its' a problem everywhere, but I think we've come a long way. The start of Not On My Campus (NOMC) started the topic and we've been an organization for 3 years now."
What does NOMC do specifically to prevent sexual assault at Texas State University?
"We allow people to talk about it and allow a platform for everyone to be comfortable and giving them resources. We're non-profit, so everything we do we give to the women's shelter."
Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?
"I think there's always room for improvement. I had a friend call me and tell me it happened to her last semester, so if it's going to be a thing where people are trying to end it, its going to take a really long time. I mean look at how long it took us to just to even have the conversation about it."
How did NOMC help you?
"It allowed me to be okay with myself. I think it is really empowering when you help someone else heal, so the fact that [NOMC] has given me a chance to do that has helped me heal too."
Can you tell me more about NOMC?
"It was founded by another Delta Gamma who was also sexually assaulted. Her main thing like I said was to get people to talk about it. She wanted an atmosphere where people felt comfortable and had the opportunity to talk about that because she never did. We hold events and raise money for the Hayes Caldwell Women's Shelter. We've made survivor series where people come and share their stories. Mainly we want to get people to talk about it because if people are talking about it you'll be thinking about it more and therefore it wont happen as much. And it hasn't, it's gone down if you look back on the past 3 years at Texas State University."
What should Texas State University do to discourage/condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victim(s) on campus?
"Here's the thing. People don't usually get raped on campus, this happens at parties and people houses. Can they physically be there? No, not really. Yes Texas State has resources [such as the counseling center and organizations like NOMC] but I feel like if professors in the beginning of the semester where just to like talk about it because it takes a person a really long time to talk about it so if people are talking about it more it would help."
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