Colleen Shannon – Houghton STAR

As someone who appreciates trigger warnings: *trigger warning* this article acknowledges some realities of sexual violence that might be unsettling to read.

At the beginning of this week, our college joined the efforts of a foundation aiming to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and all other forms of sexual violence. There are millions of sponsors, speakers, members, and volunteers across North America and Europe that facilitate and participate in similar events each year. But honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if, even immediately after the several events this week, there are people here who don’t know what Take Back The Night really is.

Even if you think Houghton is a place where sexual violence does not occur, that doesn’t mean it is not an issue here. One in three women worldwide experience some form of sexual violence, with one in six men also experiencing it. A significantly low percentage of victims report these crimes.

Please take a moment to realize that this means you undeniably know someone who has experienced sexual violence.

Now take another moment to realize the way you act regarding topics of sexual violence, and events like Take Back The Night, matter a lot to approximately one third of all the people you meet. Be it family, friends, roommate, dorm-mate, or classmates, these aren’t just statistics, these are people that you know. If you still think this is an issue of elsewhere, know that just by reading this article, you now know someone who has been affected by this. I endured a season of abuse as a young child in a public daycare centre. I don’t say this to bring sympathy, but to encourage each and every individual here to do what they can to make this campaign against sexual violence matter more. I say it to raise awareness for the millions who’ve received the mark of “victim” and little else. I say it to acknowledge those who have yet to find their voice. I know what a hard journey it can be and it’s important to know you are not alone.

That is why this is an issue at Houghton. Even if it didn’t happen here, people here are trying to walk through that reality in their life. Even in a middle-of-nowhere, Liberal Arts Christian college. Paying heed and contributing to efforts like Take Back The Night is a way to care for this specific hurt in the body of Christ. It tells your sisters and brothers in Christ they should not have to suffer alone. For many, this is not something that happens and then is left in the past, it can seem ever-present and insurmountable. You can equip yourself to reach gently into their isolation as a safe and concerned individual who will give them non-judgemental space to speak if they need to. Even if you can’t fully understand, you can listen. Foundations like Take Back The Night give you the chance to do that.

A panel on Monday evening provided the opportunity to become more informed, especially regarding the trusted (RA, RD, Professor, Coach, Safety & Security) and confidential (counselor, Dean of Chapel, Title IX Coordinator) employees on campus you can speak to. Tuesday evening hosted a coffeehouse that provided avenues for artistic expression and a chance to listen to one another. On Wednesday, the issue was addressed from the chapel stage and in a faculty lecture. The events concluded with a service and prayer walk. These three days can be overwhelming, but it is important we give what we can toward Take Back The Night’s mission to create safe spaces, understanding relationships, and open communities that seek to end sexual violence and care for those who have experienced it.

When April 2018 comes around, I urge you to be more involved in the events organized by a small group of dedicated students here. And while this year’s events have passed, there is still much you can do. In everyday thoughts and behaviours, you can become known as a safe and accepting person, someone who will listen to another’s hurt and then be sure it is not the only thing you know them by. Do what you can to work against society’s implicit consent to sexual violence and, perhaps most importantly, care for yourself and others with grace, hope, and love.

Colleen is a senior intercultural studies major with a minor in child well-being.

I was in Washington D.C. last Friday, but I was not wearing a brightly colored scarf and holding a picket sign like the many pro-life march participants that filled the city streets around me.

I value life. I value life higher than most any other thing. However, it is because of this value that I do not consider myself “pro-life.” In my constant efforts to bridge lines drawn between “us” and “them,” I often find myself walking a difficult midline in many conversations. I hope that you can walk it with me for just a moment, even if our perspectives differ.

Upon conception, a baby is the beginning of a most intricate and mysterious miracle in God’s planned designed. I wish every child was carefully considered, anticipated, welcomed, and loved. The truth of this matter is however, that very rarely do humans care well for God’s plans or designs.

Statistics from government surveys and various relief organizations average 13-16 million children struggle with hunger in the U.S. Over 2,000 juveniles are currently serving a life sentence without parole. Perhaps their actions could be linked to the fact that over 60% of children are exposed to violence in the U.S. Approximately 5 children die every day from abuse, 80% of whom are not yet old enough to start kindergarten. 2.5 million children are currently homeless and more than 400,000 are in foster care. Please know that there are also statistics of health and well-being and child prodigies to balance these statistics out. But for the sake of the view that I am presenting here, we ought to remember: if you force children to be born, you should be able to take care of them.

In terms of constituting policies, that is what this conversation comes down to. If this country and its citizens are unable to provide proper care for the inherently valuable gift of life that they already hold, what do they plan to do to support the lives of the average 1 million babies that are aborted each year? Many could argue that a hard life is better than no life at all, but I refuse to force that choice onto someone else. Unless you personally are going to provide care for each and every child, perhaps you shouldn’t try to force others to do the same.

You see, while I am not ‘pro-life’, I do not prescribe ‘pro-choice’ either. There really is no better choice here. I do not want to argue over life. We are not deserving to have, keep, or take it. Yet we make these choices every day, intentionally and ignorantly, in our social justice practices, our social welfare policies, our education systems, our employment opportunities, and every other nameable facet of society. If you want to change policies regarding abortion, you must be willing to change the circumstances in which abortion takes place.

These women are caught in near impossible circumstance. So I will not close my hands around a picket sign or hide myself behind a brightly colored scarf. I want to extend my hand for “the other” to hold through this immense pain. I will bare my neck to the cold stares of those who disagree with me about how to love a hurting world. Know that if you have your own perspective, I am not against you; I respect you. But from my point of view, until better support is provided, we need to continue to offer resources to those in need so that maybe a child can have a life, not just a birth.