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s&aiaa . Adam Amato Photographer Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team intern advisor Whitney Zeigler watches the SWAT interns perform skits for the Prevention of Interpersonal Violence class Thursday afternoon, April 29. Student counsels victims of abuse Whitney Zeigler is an intern advisor and student leader for the University’s Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team By Chelsea Duncan Senior News Reporter When she was five years old, Uni versity graduate student Whitney Zei gler was sexually abused. But as she grew up, she found others with simi lar experiences, went through coun seling and began to find support in other survivors. Now, Zeigler hopes to pass that support on to others. "Something kept drawing me back into this field," she said. "I think this is where I'm meant to be." Zeigler is the intern advisor for the University's Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team, an internship program in which students dedicate time to educating others about sexual assault, relation ship violence, the dangers of stalking and healthy sexual relationships. "It affects so many people, especial ly women," she said. Zeigler, who is working toward her master's degree in international stud ies, said her personal experiences have led her to work toward preventing do mestic and sexual violence. Her inter est in creating change began taking shape as she grew up and talked with other sexual abuse survivors. "I became kind of an informal ad vocate, " she said, adding that being able to speak openly helps survivors come to terms with their experiences. "It gives them somewhat of a com munity. It takes away the stigma and the shame." After receiving her undergraduate degree in art from California's Scripps College, Zeigler said she expected to continue advocating awareness through her art. But first she wanted to gain more of an international per spective on life in general. She joined the Peace Corps in 1999 and remained a member until 2001, teaching English to high school stu dents in Poland, but soon realized she would face more challenges than sim ply teaching. "Sometimes my students would come to school with obvious bruises," she said. "It was a small community so everyone knew what was going on, but no one wanted to talk about it. It was taboo." Zeigler said she tried to look at the situation not only from her perspec tive, but in terms of the community's cultural values as well. But she could n't find a common ground. "I just can't accept violence in any form," she said. "I didn't expect that to be the hardest thing to confront there" She said she offered to let some of the students stay with her, but they re fused because they knew their parents would find them. Because physical abuse is considered a "family problem" in Poland, Zeigler said it seemed as if it wasn't her place to help. "1 guess my interference wouldn't have been accepted in the communi ty," she said. The community also lacked re sources for victims of domestic abuse. Zeigler said she wanted to find ways to help victims of violence such as her former students. When she returned to the States, Zei gler began researching domestic vio lence resource institutions in Poland. She found a few in some of the larger cities and began making contacts. She returned to Poland this past summer to visit the organizations and also the community she had lived in previously to tell its citizens about the resources. She also decid ed to write her master's thesis based on her experiences. Her thesis ana lyzes the most effective strategies to confront domestic violence with an emphasis on trends of domestic vio lence in Poland. Once it is complet ed, she said she plans to send copies to some of her former students and friends back in Poland in hopes of encouraging people to bring the is sues to the front line. ASUO Women's Center Office Co ordinator Lori Brown said she holds a lot of respect for Zeigler because of her many accomplishments. "She's taken positive action that's come out of trauma," Brown said. "It just shows that she really is a survivor;" She said Zeigler was instrumental in making the Sexual Wellness Advo cacy Team a success on campus be cause of her passion and initiative. "She has high expectations for the program and she inspires people to meet them," she said. Senior Yuri Akahira, who has been involved in the program for two years, said she didn't know anything about sexual and domestic abuse be fore she joined the team. But because Zeigler has so much knowledge about the issues, Akahira said she caught on quickly. "It's definitely important for every body to know how much these issues affect the community," she said. Zeigler said students who want to get involved with the program this summer should pick up applications in the Women's Center and turn them in by May 4. "We're trying to recruit a variety of people from all walks of life," she said. Zeigler said she hopes to continue educating students about these issues in the future, and she also wants to work in international gender and de velopment areas. "I want to make a difference," she said. "And I feel like I can." Contact the higher education/ student life/student affairs reporter at chelseaduncan@daiiyemerald.com. aily Emerald Job Fair and Open House If you want a career in Journalism, start now! Make success a reality Positions being filled include: Reporters (sports, entertainment, news, editorial) ♦ Desk editors Graphic designers Advertising design Advertising sales ■ ' '■ S'./?: ' ■: \ ' V: ' v : : iS; ; V . ' : ' : 018959 What: Job Fair and Open House Where: Suite 300 EMU (3rd floor above the ballroom) When: Tuesday, May 4, lpm-3pm Or stop by our table at the Programs Faire from 10am—4pm on Tuesday, May 4 at the EMU Amphitheater Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity. HAS A COlWERSAfIW HAPPENED? Race isn't biological. But that doesn't mean it isn't real. the power of an illusion nwicte release of a three-part documentary series by California Newsreel lues. April 27th h'30-8.30pm Ben Linder Rm EMU) EPISODE I - The Difference Between Us Cues. May 4tit 6:30*8:30pm Ben Linder Rm (EMU) EPISODE II - The Story We Tell Hasn't race always been wifi us'--’ Explore the roots of tire race concept; the 19th century science that legitimized it and how it gained such a hold over Our minds. engage in facilitated dialogue within a safe and supportive space. Hues. May 11th 8:30-8:30pm Ben Linder Rm(EMlj) EPISODE ill - The House We Live In Race may he a biological myth, but racism still gives different groups vastly different life chances. Forty years after the Civil Rights movement, the playing field is still not level, and 'colorblind" policies only perpetuate inequality All levels of interest are welcome LET’S ENGAGE IT. VISIT THE COMPANION WEB SITE # www-pbs.org/race o 1IN(V**AJTY OF OKRnON For moro information coiilaci dir BRI at 346-t 130 or email kmoiicjitalari.ivimi.uvieaon.cdu Student Groups! Advertise in the Emerald call 346-4343 or place your ad online at www.dailyemerald.com
