By BAILEY BURROWS
As the spring semester rolled in, the Colorado College community welcomes new Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Anna Thompson. Thompson previously worked for the Sexual Response Network of Central Ohio, a community-based organization that works with the general population of Ohio including all ages, background levels, and incomes.
“The transition from working as an advocate at a community-based organization to a campus has been relatively smooth,” said Thompson. “The main difference is that on campus, I am working with a more specific population — mostly college students.”
The SARC works to prevent sexual violence on campus in addition to providing support to victims. They also work in coordination with other organizations and departments at the college to create a safer environment among CC community members.
“At CC, I hope to help create an environment and culture where every person — student, faculty, staff — feels safe and supported,” said Thompson. “I want anyone who has been affected by sexual violence to feel supported by Colorado College and believe in the institution’s quest to abolish it from campus. As for what I want to stay the same at CC — I want the students’ ambition and drive to grow and constantly learn to stay the same. This place would not be the same without the students’ energy and sense of adventure.”
One important step in creating a safe environment was the Title IX Amendment of the Education Amendments Act. The act states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” This act has been vital in reporting and investigating sexual assaults across all educational fronts.
Under the new presidential administration, United States Secretary of Education Betsy Devos proposed rollbacks to this act, allowing for relaxation on regulations for assaulters. Various organizations and schools have publicly opposed this idea, and Thompson agrees.
“As an advocate, I value survivor-centered processes and policy. ‘Survivor-centered’ means that the survivor’s needs, safety, and voice are paramount in the conversation around justice and accountability,” Thompson said. “The proposed Title IX rollbacks are not survivor-centered and make it even harder for institutions to hold perpetrators accountable, which in turn makes it harder to keep campuses safe and free from those who perpetrate sexual violence.”
The rollbacks have not been finalized yet, meaning that organizations across the country, including CC, have been able to participate in the commenting period. The Department of Education is legally required to respond to comments of substance. Thompson was able to work with Student Organization for Sexual Safety in preparing and submitting their own comment. She has aspirations to continue to advocate for action within different communities at the college as well.
“I’m very excited to be at Colorado College where I have found a small, tight-knit community of students, staff, and faculty dedicated to supporting survivors and ending sexual violence,” Thompson said. “I have found the students to be engaged, genuine, and intellectually curious and I look forward to working with such a great group!”