As Colorado College rings in the new year, the campus is expecting more than new blocks and adjunct opportunities—this semester, CC will be officially presenting and implementing the new Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Maria Mendez.
Colorado College’s Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Program (SARP) was created with the intent for it to be an available resource for students here at CC. The school’s SARC works to provide support and education for all issues relating to sexual assault and/or gender-based violence.
Maria Mendez, CC’s new SARC as of Jan. 4 of this year, comes to the school with knowledge and experience regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, and other related issues.
Before coming to the Springs, Maria was living in California while working as the Prevention Education Supervisor at a domestic violence/ rape crisis center. H
er job included talking with and supporting survivors of rape and domestic violence, as well as giving presentations to the local community on the importance of healthy relationships.
When she was recruited for the position, Maria was attracted to CC because of the open-minded, welcoming community. By far, her favorite part of her job is being able to interact with and form relationships with the students.
Since many people on campus don’t actually know exactly what the SARC’s job consists of, I asked her for more information. She is available as a confidential resource to any and all students who have experienced, have concerns, or simply want to have a conversation about sexual violence.
When asked about her aspirations for the position, she replied that she wants her office to be a place that anyone feels comfortable in, and that the visits not always be in response to negative events. She has a wealth of knowledge about preventing sexual assault before it happens, which is the ultimate goal of SARP.
Maria’s office is comfortably tucked away in the corner of upstairs Worner, so student worried about peers seeing them in the office have nothing to worry about.
In addition to having her own office and program, Maria is also the advisor for SOSS, the Student Organization for Sexual Safety. She offers them training in confidentiality, and advice on how to be supportive and understanding for peers in difficult situations. Often times, it be easier to talk to a fellow student than with a staff member about sexual assault, but it is important that the SOSS members know how to be as helpful and non-threatening as possible.
Maria has reiterated how excited she is to work with a student body as diverse and interesting as the one at CC, and urges students to remember that the SARC office is not only for people who have been the victims of sexual violence, although they are always welcome, of course.
Students are always welcome to stop by with questions, concerns, or just to say hello. Maria’s office is located at 219 Worner and can be reached via email at sarc@coloradocollege.edu.