Freshman sexual assault program

Freshman sexual assault program

By Chelsea Girard

A sexual assault resistance program is being offered to students at the University of Windsor to ensure student safety both on and off campus.

University of Windsor Psychology Professor Charlene Senn developed The Feminist Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act Program to help young women avoid sexual assault.

Over the past 10 years Senn has taught the risk factors of sexual assault, self-defense and situational danger. This program includes four three-hour sessions focusing on assessments, acknowledgement, action and education.

“The thing nobody talks about is there is rarely a bystander present in a sexual assault situation,” said Senn. “We need to provide women with the knowledge and skills to defend themselves in these situations.”

The EAAA program is specifically designed for university women ages 17 to 24. According to New England Journal of Medicine‘s website, women who took the EAAA program experienced a 46 per cent reduction in sexual assault and a 63 per cent reduction in attempted sexual assault in the following year, compared to those who did not take the program.

Karen Hobden, clinical trail project manager at the University of Windsor said the program has progressed into more than a research study.

“The program has affected so many young woman and has made them feel safer,” said Hobden. “I wish my generation would have had a program like this when I was growing up. I would have felt much safer.”