Full Support

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 17:12:46 +0000

Full Support HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Mon, 06/06/2022 - 13:12

New center helps those dealing with sexual harassment and violence

June 7, 2022

Heather Harris Michonski

鈥淲hat just happened?鈥� 鈥淗ow did it happen?鈥� 鈥淚鈥檓 so angry.鈥� 鈥淚鈥檓 so scared.鈥� 鈥淚 feel so alone.鈥�

Guilt, shame, and grief. These are just some of the complex feelings survivors of sexual violence experience, said Brandie Leach, the newly appointed assistant director of the Sexual Violence Advocacy and Support Center (SVAS) at 51吃瓜网.

More than anything she wants survivors to know they are not alone, that there are people in place to help.

鈥�Sexual violence is very isolating, you鈥檙e made to feel you鈥檙e the only one dealing with it, that no one will believe you,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want people to feel they are all by themselves.鈥�

SVAS is there, Leach said, to help survivors of all forms of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking.

The center recently moved to a more centralized location in Tillinghast Hall, room 102. One of the key benefits of the new location is the privacy offered, something that was previously lacking in its former home in Weygand Hall.

鈥淗aving this designated space creates elements of safety and confidentiality,鈥� Leach said. 鈥淲hen folks come in, they are feeling vulnerable, and we don鈥檛 want them to feel physically exposed. It鈥檚 important to have this (new) location.鈥�

Helping survivors is something Leach has dedicated her career to.

She got her start working in sexual violence advocacy when she served in the Army as her unit鈥檚 sexual assault representative.

Leach not only educated soldiers about sexual harassment and assault but also supported those who came forward to make reports.

After leaving the Army, Leach took time off to raise a family. When she returned to the workforce, she did so by volunteering as a rape crisis counselor in Upstate New York.

After moving her family to Rhode Island, she worked as a law enforcement advocate before transitioning into a non-clinical counseling role.

Eventually, she found herself running a domestic violence shelter program and creating policies connected to domestic violence for the Rhode Island legislature.

Leach looks to continue her work helping survivors and promoting sexual violence education at Bridgewater as assistant director of SVAS.

鈥�This job is an advocacy dream. With my background, to be able to transfer into higher education and provide survivor support as well as mentor the next generation in advocacy, it鈥檚 perfect for me,鈥� she said.

Reminding people that SVAS is on campus, with trained advocates and student-peers in place, is her top priority.

鈥淗opefully knowing that SVAS is here, we want survivors to tap into this support. You can鈥檛 do it alone. To have the most successful outcome you need someone helping you along the way,鈥� Leach said.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but students can also reach out online to submit a request for support.

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Hopefully knowing that SVAS is here, we want survivors to tap into this support. You can鈥檛 do it alone. To have the most successful outcome you need someone helping you along the way.

Brandie Leach, SVAS assistant director