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Bill Dycus - Director of Counseling
3/28/06, 10:39 a.m.
I want to honor this student's courage to come forward and share her story. I hope that it will encourage others who have been assaulted to speak out as well, or at least tell someone else so that they do not have to suffer in silence. It is only through breaking that silence can we put a spotlight on these crimes and make a clear statement that rape/sexual assault at Mars Hill College will not be tolerated! Even if no criminal charges or sexual misconduct complaints get filed, I urge this student who shared this story (and all rape/sexual assault survivors) to talk to a counselor. Not because they are "crazy" or "damaged", but because it is another source of support for them and help them really process what happened so they can begin to recover and move forward with their life. I have ten years experience working with sexual assault survivors. My phone # is 689-1196. If you don't feel comfortable talking to someone on campus, Our VOICE (in Asheville) offers counseling services to MHC students. These services at both the MHC Counseling Center and at Our VOICE are completely FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
There are a lot of reasons that survivors don't report their assaults to the College or to law enforcement. I have been working with the Dean of Students, the Director of Security, and others in the administration to remove as many of the barriers as possible and make the reporting process one that is as easy, safe, and supportive as possible. A year-long effort by the Student Life Office to develop a new, comprehensive Sexual Misconduct Policy is nearing fruition, and will be put into effect ASAP pending final approval from the administration. If anyone has any questions about this or anything else relating to sexual assault issues on campus, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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