A bright yellow mailbox, named the “Letters of Hope” box, has been placed outside of the Women’s Center, located in Berkman Hall at room 142, to accept anonymous stories of sexual violence from survivors now until March 31.
“We need to raise awareness of sexual violence, consent and bodily autonomy,” said Evie DuVernay, assistant director of the Women’s Center. “However, we also need to provide safer spaces for survivors to navigate, especially on a college campus where those engaged in the educational process, students and professors alike, need to be able to focus and actively participate in the learning process. I don’t think it is possible to be fully present and engaged while having trauma stimulated.”
This mailbox gives students affected by sexual violence a chance to tell their stories with their own words. Students can write about what their experience looked like and how they managed to heal.
“It gives voice to the varied experiences with sexual violence and the multitude of paths folx take toward survival, reflection and healing,” DuVernay said.
The anonymous letters will be displayed during CSU’s “Our Stories, Our Voices” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 6 in the Student Center Atrium. At the event, resources from on and off campus will be giving out information and students can reply to the letters on display at the “Letters of Hope” station.
Cleveland State offers other resources for victims of sexual violence all-year long, including the CSU Counsleing Center and the CSU CARE team. The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is also available to victims of sexual violence.