ORONO, Maine — Physical and sexual assaults happen on college campuses, which is why several University of Maine groups came together Wednesday to march against domestic violence and advocate for change by educating classmates and the community.
“Every nine seconds in the U.S. a woman is assaulted or beaten,” UMaine President Susan Hunter said at the conclusion of the walk.
She listed several other statistics, including that nearly half the homicides in Maine involve domestic violence. Then she turned her focus to the campus programs in place to help.
“You are not alone. We have your back. I have your back,” Hunter said. “No one in this community is alone. The UMaine community is here.”
UMaine is not immune to the problem. Between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2014, UMaine used its disciplinary process to resolve 62 cases involving sexual violence, harassment, stalking, hazing, intimidation or physical assault between students, according to university records.
Students Shaunna Peard, Lindsey Blair and sisters Amber Hathaway and Katie Hathaway, who are all members of the UMaine Business School Corps, stood by the front of the Memorial Union just before the noon demonstration handing out small purple ribbons in recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The women would later stand at the podium and tell the group of 170 or so students who took part in the walk that by participating they were already taking the steps needed to make change.
Maine Business School hosted the march in collaboration with UMaine athletics and the Student Women’s Association.
None of the four women heard that University of Maine System trustees will vote in November whether to redefine terms such as dating violence, sexual harassment and consent to a sexual act.
The 15-page policy, which is in draft form, clearly defines consent as an active declaration rather than the lack of an objection and that if a person is incapacitated because of drugs or alcohol and does not understand the extent of the situation unfolding, then there is no consent.
“We’ve not been filled in on this,” Katie Hathaway said. “I’ll look into it.”
Football player Sam Lenson, a sophomore punter, also said he didn’t know about the upcoming trustees vote.
“I had no idea it’s coming up, but I’m happy it is,” Lenson said. “If there is anything the university can do to improve the rules, then that is a good thing.”
The new definition of consent, which follows federal regulations being adopted by campuses across the country, is still a misnomer for students and the general population, Robert Dana, UMaine vice president for student affairs, said before the walk.
“The history there is: No means no,” Dana said.
If the policy is passed by the trustees next month, no will still mean no, but the lack of a “yes” also will mean no, he explained.
Educating students about sexual harassment, sexual assaults and domestic violence is one way “to back away from the darkness,” Dana said. “If you get everybody talking, that starts change. Let’s change the culture.”
Bananas the Bear and Dana led the group from the Memorial Union, down and around the mall and ended at the steps of Fogler Library, where a microphone was set up for the speakers.
“Unfortunately, one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes,” former UMaine football player Spencer Wood, who is part of Male Athletes Against Violence, told the students.
UMaine was thrust into the spotlight twice in as many years after two of its former football players, Zedric Joseph and Jovan Belcher, made national headlines for separate domestic violence disputes.
Joseph, who was arrested by campus police Dec. 17, 2012, and charged with domestic violence assault and domestic violence criminal threatening, is currently facing a murder charge in Florida, where he is accused of fatally stabbing the boyfriend of the woman he reportedly assaulted while at UMaine. He also is accused of stabbing the woman, who is the mother of his child.
Belcher was a Kansas City Chiefs linebacker in December 2012 when he fatally shot his girlfriend, then died by suicide in Kansas City.
The Male Athletes Against Violence group meets monthly and is made up of athletes from all the sports offered on campus.
“We get together and educate ourselves, and we go out into the community [to educate others],” Wood said. “We have to try to educate men to make a difference in our communities.”
Amanda Cost of Spruce Run, an organization aimed at ending domestic abuse, said UMaine is a leader when it comes to domestic violence education and having resources available for victims. But many people still don’t know how prevalent the crime is in Maine.
“People need to learn what this is about and how can we stop it,” Cost said.
As the students disbursed, Hunter could be heard speaking to the four women from the Maine Business School about hosting the event, encouraging them to continue their advocacy work.
“That’s what it takes,” Hunter told the group of organizers.
BDN reporter Nell Gluckman contributed to this story.
To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871-7741, TTY 888-458-5599. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.