The R.A.P.E Center at the Office of Prevention Services has a new name.

The Rape Advocacy Prevention and Education Center is now the Syracuse University Sexual Assault Support Services. It will remain a division of the Office of Prevention Services (OPS).

Sarah Mart, the director of the Office of Prevention Services, said in an e-mail on Monday that the reasons for changing the name included:

*Recognition that students experience other types of sexual violence in addition to rape.

*Communication of a more welcoming message to survivors by specifying ‘support services.’

*Promotion of the type of services available to the SU/ESF student population.

For more than 17 years, Syracuse University has had an office dedicated specifically to treat those affected by sexual assault incidents. Last Wednesday, the office announced the name change in a press release.

Matt Snyder, the director of communications and media relation at SU, said there is little debate about the term ‘sexual assault support.’

‘This change follows a trend among many institutions of higher education where the term ‘sexual assault support’ is becoming more and more common and respected,’ Snyder said.

While the name of the office has changed, the services it provides will not. SU Sexual Assault Support Services will continue to provide support for any and all members of the community affected by sexual assault.

‘We wanted to make sure that all survivors of sexual assault felt welcome here in this office, even if not specifically victims of rape,’ Snyder said. ‘All members of the community should feel welcome here, and openness and acceptance are really at the forefront of what this office is about.’

Snyder said the office is open to treat everyone on campus whom might have been affected by sexual assault – including friends and family of victims.

Thirty-six forcible sexual criminal offenses have been reported in the last four years, according to the Syracuse Department of Public Safety. During the last five years, the number of sexual assaults reported to the office has ranged from 25 to 50 per academic year, Mart said.

Kate Friedman, a junior magazine major, said the name change will bring more students to the center.

‘I think it’s a positive change for sure,’ Friedman said. ‘It’s important that students know the full range of services the office offers, and changes like this I think really will help to get kids educated on what this office has.

‘Specifically with services like violence prevention, kids might not know that that is something the office has to offer… now they might go and check it out,’ she said.

The office provides around-the-clock help for all members of the community. During business hours, a member of the office is there at all times for personal support and is also available by appointment.

SU Sexual Assault Support Services is also responsible for annual events on campus such as Take Back the Night, an event that looks to raise awareness about rape and various other forms of sexual assault.

pwsmithj@syr.edu

Published on February 26, 2008 at 12:00 pm