Marymount Students Assemble Kits that Help Survivors of Sexual Assault

Members of the Marymount University Community assembled 171 kits containing new clothing, handwritten notes of encouragement, toiletries and other items for victims of sexual assault whose clothing has been kept for evidence after hospital visits. More than 150 student volunteers participated in the Fear 2 Freedom celebration held Nov. 1 on campus.

The event included a talk by Rosemary Trible, the survivor of a violent rape who founded Fear 2 Freedom in 2011. The nonprofit works to heal those wounded by sexual assault and to empower college students to change the culture surrounding the issue.

“Often when we talk about such heavy subjects, students leave thinking, ‘Well, what can I do to help?’” said Catherine Brocker, director of Marymount’s Student Health Center. “What I loved about this is that they were able to do something tangible.”

Other speakers included Marymount President Matthew D. Shank; a representative from Doorways for Women and Families; a sexual assault nurse examiner; and Brocker, who also chairs MU’s Saints Care Committee, which coordinates efforts to promote healthy relationships and to increase education and awareness around interpersonal and sexual misconduct.

The number “2” in Fear 2 Freedom’s name is a reminder that every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States. According to the group, one in six women and one in 33 men in the United States will be a victim of sexual assault.

With 18 university partnerships and 33 hospital and community partnerships, Fear 2 Freedom has provided more than 13,000 kits, which are also given to child and domestic abuse survivors. The kits also include brand new T-shirts, sweatpants and underwear, a stuffed bear and a resource card with a list of help lines and tips. Adults receive a pen and journal. Children receive a toy.

For more information, go to fear2freedom.org.

Photo captions
Photo 1
Members of the Marymount University Community assembled 171 kits for victims of sexual assault whose clothing has been kept for evidence after hospital visits. Pictured are Rosemary Trible, founder of Fear 2 Freedom, Marymount President Matthew D. Shank, who is holding the regional Emmy Award Fear 2 Freedom won for its film “Be the Change,” and Catherine Brocker, director of Marymount’s Student Health Center.

Photo 2
Fear 2 Freedom has 18 university partnerships and 33 hospital and community partnerships. Picture from left are Dr. Matthew Shank, Elaine McSorley-Gerard, nurse practitioner at Marymount’s Student Health Center, and Joan Engelsgaard, a registered nurse at the Student Health Center.