ISU Police Facility Aimed at Victim Comfort

Lenore Sobota

Lee News Service

A stark, windowless room with bare walls and hard chairs might be an effective place for police to interview crime suspects, but it's not necessarily the best setting for talking to crime victims.

So when the Illinois State University Police Department was doing a significant remodeling of one part of its offices, Chief Aaron Woodruff decided to add a more comfortable room for those victim interviews.

“It's not a new concept. Other departments have done this,” Woodruff said. “It's been one of my wish list items.”

Although the room can be used for interviewing anyone making a police report, it is particularly intended to put victims of sexual assault and domestic violence at ease, Woodruff said.

“They're both the most severe form of trauma,” he said.

Gail Trimpe-Morrow, coordinator of sexual assault prevention and survivor services at ISU, said the new room is a huge improvement and provides “a space that feels safe and comfortable.”

She said she hopes it will help encourage more victims to come forward and report crimes.

The room formerly used was “pretty sparse” and made victims “feel like they were being interrogated,” Woodruff said.

The new, 12-by-7-foot room is carpeted and has a small couch, a few pillows, two chairs and an end table with a lamp.

One wall is decorated with a simple painting of tree silhouettes and red cardinals. Another wall has a “word cloud” with phrases such as “We believe you” and “We care” along with individual words such as "courage," "understanding" and "support."

“I think the signage is critically important. … The sign sets a supportive tone,” said Trimpe-Morrow.

Woodruff came up with the list of words and basic concept. ISU Printing Services took care of creating the graphics.

Martin's Home Furniture of Bloomington donated furniture for the room.

Interviewing victims “has come a long way,” said Woodruff. “We're more trauma-informed.”

Trimpe-Morrow said being “trauma-informed” means recognizing that trauma victims present themselves in different ways and their recall is different from others.

“The interviewer needs to take things slowly and be more supportive,” she said.

Woodruff said victims need to know “we're going to take them seriously,” and that's an important goal of the new room.

“It lets our campus community know that we do care and we are supportive of victims and survivors of sexual assault,” Woodruff said.

Another advantage of the new room is its location on the opposite side of the part of the department used for interviewing suspects, which makes it less likely that the victim and suspect will cross paths while at the police department,” he said.

Take Back the Night Caps Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Join YWCA McLean County's Stepping Stones in raising awareness and demanding an end to sexual violence.

Take Back the Night is a powerful way to show that all people should feel safe when walking alone at night.

The nighttime walk -- designed to emphasize the need for safety and security on Twin Cities streets -- is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 28 beginning at McLean County Museum of History at 200 North Main in Bloomington.

Meanwhile, here are some stats on sexual assault and violence to consider.

McLean County Hosts Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events

The month's local observances began last Thursday with a Teal Ribbon Ceremony at Heartland Community College. Community members were invited to tie ribbons around the campus or paint a single fingernail teal to symbolize support for sexual assault survivors.

The Clothesline Project will be 5 to 7 p.m. April 8 at YWCA, 1201 N. Hershey Road. Assault survivors are invited to create shirts to be displayed on a clothesline; supplies will be provided. Shirts will be on display throughout April at Behind The Glass Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 315 N. Main St., Bloomington; Wednesday through April 9 at Heartland Community College; and April 10 at YWCA.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St. Goal of the event — featuring keynote speaker Steve Thompson, an expert on sexual assault and stalking — is to raise awareness about sexual violence and improve gender relationships and appreciation for women's experiences. Registration is $25 — $10 for students and seniors — and may be completed at www.ywcamclean.org.

Brave Miss World, a movie about rape and followed by a panel discussion, will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 21 at Illinois State University's Center for Visual Arts, Normal. The event is hosted by ISU's Graduate Organization of the School Psychology program.

Take Back the Night will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 28 at McLean County Museum of History. The event will include speakers, a rally, a 1½-mile walk through downtown Bloomington and a candlelight vigil.

YWCA Stepping Stones Focusing on Sexual Assault Awareness

YWCA McLean County's Stepping Stones program — which provides help for sexual assault and abuse survivors and their families — will sponsor several programs during April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

A Teal Ribbon Ceremony will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Road, Normal. Community members are invited to tie ribbons around campus to symbolize support for sexual assault survivors and to bring awareness.

The Clothesline Project will be 5 to 7 p.m. April 8 at YWCA, 1201 N. Hershey Road. Assault survivors are invited to create shirts to be displayed on a clothesline; supplies will be provided. Shirts will be on display throughout April at Behind The Glass Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 315 N. Main St., Bloomington; Wednesday through April 9 at Heartland Community College; and April 10 at YWCA.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St. Goal of the event — featuring keynote speaker Steve Thompson, an expert on sexual assault and stalking — is to raise awareness about sexual violence and improve gender relationships and appreciation for women's experiences. Registration is $25 — $10 for students and seniors — and may be completed at www.ywcamclean.org.

Brave Miss World, a movie about rape and followed by a panel discussion, will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 21 at Illinois State University's Center for Visual Arts, Normal. The event is hosted by ISU's Graduate Organization of the School Psychology program.

Take Back the Night will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 28 at McLean County Museum of History. The event will include speakers, a rally, a 1½-mile walk through downtown Bloomington and a candlelight vigil.

Listen below for an in-depth discussion of Stepping Stones' objectives and efforts to empower victims of assault:

Groups Proclaim 'Not On My Campus' During Solidarity Walk

Bearing a banner that proclaimed, “Not on my campus,” some 1,000 Illinois State University students — mostly fraternity and sorority members — marched Wednesday evening against racism, discrimination, and sexual violence in the wake of recent nationwide controversies over campus fraternal conduct.

The "Solidarity Walk" arose from a discussion of recent events such as the release of a video of a racist chant by the University of Oklahoma's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Students gathered outside Milner Library, crossed the bridge over College Avenue, and circled the campus quad twice. The line of marchers, three and four across, wrapped halfway around the quad. 

At the end of the walk, many stopped to sign the large banner.

Joe Laskey, president of ISU's Interfraternity Council, maintained “fraternities and sororities are the ones who made the headlines, but this can happen to any organization.”

“We wanted to come together on these issues and support each other.” Senior Vincent Ortiz, president of ISU's Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, said.

Ortiz, a small-business entrepreneurship major from Batavia, said he would like the march and ISU students' stand against wrongdoing to become "a universal thing supported on other campuses.”

Alex Snowden, coordinator of fraternity and sorority life in the dean of students' office, said he was not aware of any incidents involving ISU organizations, saying the students “wanted to be proactive.”

In remarks before the march, Laskey called on those present to “show their inclusiveness and supportiveness for all” and to “put it in writing … and leave it in writing for the leaders behind you.”

"As leaders, we will not accept any racism or discrimination based on traditions on our campus," he said.

Jordan Owens, a senior in social work from Peoria, carried a sign for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, that said, “No room for any violence.” Senior Lulu Solorzano of Orland Park, a member of Gamma Phi Omega, whose mascot is a swan, held a sign saying, “Swans believe in acceptance and advocate diversity.”

A retreat this weekend will bring together 83 members of the Greek community to review their values and to reflect on what they're learning about each other.

“We wanted to come together on these issues and support each other.” Senior Vincent Ortiz, president of ISU's Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, said.

Ortiz, a small-business entrepreneurship major from Batavia, said he would like the march and ISU students' stand against wrongdoing to become "a universal thing supported on other campuses.”

Alex Snowden, coordinator of fraternity and sorority life in the dean of students' office, said he was not aware of any incidents involving ISU organizations, saying the students “wanted to be proactive.”

In remarks before the march, Laskey called on those present to “show their inclusiveness and supportiveness for all” and to “put it in writing … and leave it in writing for the leaders behind you.”

"As leaders, we will not accept any racism or discrimination based on traditions on our campus," he said.

Jordan Owens, a senior in social work from Peoria, carried a sign for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, that said, “No room for any violence.” Senior Lulu Solorzano of Orland Park, a member of Gamma Phi Omega, whose mascot is a swan, held a sign saying, “Swans believe in acceptance and advocate diversity.”

A retreat this weekend will bring together 83 members of the Greek community to review their values and to reflect on what they're learning about each other.

ISU Frats, Sororities Respond to Troubled Image

In light of recent national concerns involving fraternities and sororities and issues regarding discrimination, hazing, and sexual assault, the local Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter and the Interfraternity Council at Illinois State University have come together to enact change.

Members of the Council reflected after a social justice conversation and agreed to adopt anti-discriminatory policies within their governing documents. Members also felt strongly about the need to peacefully demonstrate their commitment to create a safe, diverse, supportive and inclusive environment.

On Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 pm the Interfraternity Council will be joined by the Fraternity and Sorority Life community in a solidarity walk starting in Milner Plaza and continuing through the Quad. The walk is open to all who share this same vision for Illinois State University and all university campuses. All those interested in participating are encouraged to wear anything that represents Illinois State University, their registered student organization or their fraternal organization.

The demonstration will end with a signed pledge to reflect on the positive changes colleges are capable of, and a commitment to reach across differences to create those changes. Official hashtags for the demonstration are ‪#‎NotOnOurCampus‬ and ‪#‎NotOnAnyCampus.

Earlier this month,  a video went viral of the Oklahoma University chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) on a bus laughing, pumping their fists, and clapping as they chant, “There will never be a ni**** in SAE. You can hang him by a  tree but he will never sign with me. There will never be a ni**** in SAE.” The chant was set to the well-known tune, “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

The students were later forced to move out of their frat house and expelled from the chapter, which then was disbanded.

The national headquarters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon -- which disbanded its University of Oklahoma chapter. The national headquarters for the fraternity announced a new initiative last week aimed to “combat instances of racial discrimination and insensitivity” among its members.

The plan includes hiring a director of diversity and inclusion, which the fraternity says is the first position of its kind at any major fraternity; requiring members to participate in mandatory diversity education, which will begin with an online certification training program; creating a toll-free telephone hotline for members to call and report troubling behavior; and appointing a national advisory committee on diversity and inclusion.

The initiative does not include any plans to aggressively recruit minority members. About 20 percent of SAE’s members identify as “non-Caucasian,” the fraternity said. Only about 3 percent of its members are black.