Marchers speak out against harassment

A speak-out following the Take Back the Night march in Machias on April 26 illustrated the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment. Although the group at the speak-out was small -- numbering between 25 and 30 -- most of those there shared a personal experience with sexual assault or harassment, and some even said they'd experienced it more than once.
"A speak-out is an opportunity to have a voice," said Beth Russett, nurse practitioner at the University of Maine at Machias, who asked that names of those speaking out not be shared. "And for some people it's a very powerful and healing experience to be able to speak."
Among those who chose to share their stories was a UMM student who had been groped at a party. She says she tried to tell herself afterward that it didn't matter, but she couldn't get past it. The offender involved never even apologized.
"I started thinking more about it and I said, 'You know, no, no, it's not fine. It's not fine that he did it,'" she said. Being drunk is no excuse for the offender's behavior. "You can't make excuses, because it's never OK," she said.
Another shared that one of her childhood friends was sexually assaulted by her stepfather when she was in sixth grade. The speaker told her own mother, who refused to get involved on her friend's behalf. She says situations like these demonstrate how important it is to talk about the issue and to educate both genders about limits, boundaries and respect.
Another person shared that, during her first day on campus, a male student offered to show her around and took her off campus. He tried to kiss her, even though she told him she already had a boyfriend, and then told her she should start dating college boys. "His trying to kiss me was sexual harassment," she said. After his attempt at a kiss, she says, she asked him if he even knew her name. He didn't. "I was very, very, very upset that that was my first college experience, and I wasn't even there for a full 24 hours," she said. "I really wanted to transfer that day." She remained at UMM, however, and reported the incident to campus authorities in an effort to prevent it from happening again.
Yet another person shared that her first boyfriend told her that the only way to prove her love for him was to have sex. "He convinced me that was the case. And that's not the case, not even close," she said, adding that no one should try to guilt another person into sex. And she says it's OK to say yes and then change your mind. "That's your choice, and it's still your body," she said.
The sharing of stories continued for about an hour, after which participants gathered outside for a candlelight vigil.
The event actually began earlier that evening at Station 1898 when about a dozen students and supporters marched through town to campus carrying signs. One sign said "Rape is caused by rapists," with "tight clothes, flirting and drunk girls" crossed out to illustrate that they are not what causes rape.
Before walking through town, participants talked about their reasons for marching. Dara Economy, a senior from Perry majoring in secondary education in math, wants to change outdated perceptions. "It's never the victim's fault," she said, adding that sexual violence and assault include a lot more than rape. She and other participants say catcalls, groping and trying to guilt someone into agreeing to sex are not OK.
Jillian Dow of Ellsworth, a freshman majoring in marine biology, wants people to understand that there's no shame in talking or getting help. Summer Hodgdon, a senior marine biology major from Dennysville, said she wants to erase the notion that men can't help themselves when they see an attractive woman. "That's just total BS. If you're a decent human being and you have respect for people and women, then don't touch them," she said.
The march was followed by a short presentation and panel discussion, which led into the speak-out. During the presentation, Hodgdon presented national statistics that indicate one in five women has been the victim of attempted or completed rape, and one in two women has experienced sexual violence other than rape. Although sexual violence is seen as a women's issue, it also affects one in five men, she says. Native Americans and those who are transgender are at the highest risk.
"Approximately 70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate or severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime," Hodgdon said.
During the panel discussion, Stacey Cherry, UMM's mental health counselor, Amelia Forman‑Stiles, an advocate and educator with AMHC, Cheyenne Robinson‑Bauman of Next Step, Russett and Jacob Hanley, a deputy coordinator for the university's anti-discrimination policy, spoke about their work and resources available to those dealing with sexual violence and harassment. Forman‑Stiles encouraged anyone needing assistance with a sexual violence or harassment issue to call a 24‑hour hotline at 1‑800‑871‑7741.