Health and Safety A Guidebook for Campuses: Students & Faculty

Santa Fe, NM | Feb. 2014

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Contents:
Bullying...................................................................................................Page #03 Sexual Violence and First Response.............................................Page #06 Suicide, PTSD & Depression..........................................................Page #12 LGBTQ+...................................................................................................Page #25 Places Nearby, Phone Numbers & Hotlines...............................Page #33 Other Resources: Information & Websites.................................Page #35

To obtain a free digital copy of this document, please visit: LINK ADDRESS HERE
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Bullying:

If you are being bullied:

Reach Out
-Tell a trusted friend, peer, teacher, or law enforcement. Sometimes you may have to tell more than one. -Ask your friends to help you. There is safety in numbers. -Practice what to say the next time you're bullied.

Be Cool in the Moment

-Stay calm and confident. Don't show the bully that you're sad or mad. -Ignore the bully and walk away. -Remember: Fighting back can make bullying worse.

Change the School and Community

-Work with others to stop bully behavior; your whole school will benefit. -Remember: A lot of kids have to cope with bullying. You are not alone. No one deserves to be bullied.

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If you witness bullying:

Interrupt It
-Stand next to, or speak up for, the person being bullied. -Ask the bully to stop. -Comfort the person being bullied and offer friendship.

Get Help
-Walk away and get help. -Find or call an adult, faculty member or security, who can intervene.

If you are the bully:

Make a Commitment to Change

-Talk to someone you trust about how to get along with others. -Apologize to who you have bullied.

Focus on Empathy and Responsibility

-Think about what it feels like to be bullied would you want to be treated that way? -Before you speak, think about whether your words will help or hurt.

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Change Your Behavior

-Resist peer pressure. -If you start to bully, walk away and find something else to do. -Remember: You don't have to like everyone around you, but you have to treat everyone with respect.

*For more information, visit Stop Bullying Now, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.stopbullyingnow.com

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Sexual Violence & First Response:

Sexual violence is a serious public health and human rights problem with both short- and long-term consequences on women's physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health. Whether sexual violence occurs in the context of an intimate partnership, within the larger family or community structure, or during times of conflict, it is a deeply violating and painful experience for the survivor."
(www.who.int)

If you have been sexually assaulted, it's important to seek physical and emotional help. If you feel comfortable, reach out to a trusted friend or teacher. They will ask if you would like to go to the police, among other questions . A trusted friend will ask these questions to best support your needs. Also, there are counselors and psychologists who specialize in these situations, who can be reached by going to:

www.rainn.org

RAINN is free, secure, and confidential. It is the largest anti-sexual assault organization. Do not hesitate to use their online or phone hotline, as well as accessing numerous resources.
*For more phone numbers and locations, please see page 33

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If a friend or peer comes to you and says that theyve been assaulted: First response possible guidelines: First question: How can I best support you right now? How can I help? Look at the basics-- are they hungry, thirsty, in shock/trauma state (cold, shaky, nervous, foggy headed, crying or emotionless), injured (abrasions, broken bones, etc.). Are they too cold or too hot? Do they need a blanket? Be an active listener. Pay attention to your own body and feelings-- are you triggered? Are you the best person to help? Can you listen without telling the survivor what you think they should or shouldnt have done? Remember that there is no right or wrong way to defend ourselves. EVERYONE DOES THE VERY BEST THAT THEY CAN AND THAT IS THE ONLY RIGHT WAY. The media and rape culture and victim blaming are the perpetrating the ultimate violation by telling people what they SHOULD have done. Dont believe the hype or perpetuate survivor shaming and victim blaming. Affirm the survivors feelings and be patient. Its not uncommon for the whole story of an assault to trickle out amidst tears, rage or non-emotion or numbness. If you find that you cant stay for the duration of their needs, reach out for help (assuming that the survivor says thats ok).

Its also not uncommon for a survivor to not want to go to the police or do a rape kit immediately. If theyre on the fence about it, dont push. You can tell them that the Rape Kit/examination doesnt mean that they have to go to the police, and that if they think that they might want to do it they may want to wait before taking a shower and/or throwing away the clothes that theyre/were wearing. HOWEVER, technically, a rape kit can be done up to 72 hours after the assault. If a survivor decides that they cant face an examination (very common), trust that they intuitively

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know whats best for them, even if theyre in a place of trauma. Consider all of the times in your life when you had know idea how to handle a situation and somehow ended up choosing exactly what was right for you. The survivor may: have a traumatic history with doctors, nurses, and/or the medical system, be a survivor of previous sexual abuse and be intensely triggered and unable to be touched, may not want to disclose their CIS-gender identity, and more. If the survivor says they DO want to go to the police: Get very clear with yourself- are you a strong advocate at this time? do you feel centered and grounded? Have you eaten? Gotten enough sleep? Are you the best person for the job or should you contact another advocate? If youre ready and available to show up for this survivor, here are some ideas about how to help:

Suggest that the survivor, or if possible, the advocate can gather and preserve: all physical evidence of the assault. Do not shower, bathe, douche, eat, drink, wash your hands, or brush your teeth until after you have had a medical examination. Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. Place each item of clothing in a separate paper bag. Do not use plastic bags. Do not clean or disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred.

Get medical care as soon as possible. Go to a hospital emergency department or a specialized forensic clinic that provides treatment for sexual assault victims. Even if you think that you do not have any physical injuries, you should still have a medical examination and discuss with a health care provider the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections and the possibility of pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault. Having a medical exam is also a way for you to preserve physical evidence of a sexual assault.

If you suspect that you may have been given a "rape drug," ask the hospital or
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clinic where you receive medical care to take a urine sample. Drugs, such as Rohypnol and GHB, are more likely to be detected in urine than in blood.

If the survivor wants to, encourage them to write down as much as you can remember about the circumstances of the assault, including a description of the assailant. If they dont want to, try to subtly take note of anything that you feel is important for the police to know.

Get information whenever you have questions or concerns. After a sexual assault, you have a lot of choices and decisions to make - e.g., about getting medical care, making a police report, and telling other people. You may have concerns about the impact of the assault and the reactions of friends and family members. You can get information by calling a rape crisis center, a hotline, or other victim assistance agencies.

Talk with a counselor who is trained to assist rape victims. Counseling can help you learn how to cope with the emotional and physical impacts of the assault. You can find a counselor by contacting a local rape crisis center, a hotline, a counseling service, other victim assistance agencies, or RAINN. RAINN is a national victim assistance organization, at 1-800-656-HOPE. (However, if you are located in Santa Fe, NM, they will most likely refer you to Solace, listed in the Places Nearby for Help section.)
(Adapted from: "What To Do If You Are Raped | Rape Treatment Center." What To Do If You Are Raped | Rape Treatment Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.)

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If the survivor says they DO NOT want to go to the police: Ask if they want to do a rape kit even though they arent going to the police. (which doesnt mean that they ever have to report the assault/rape to police, but should they decide to, they will have the evidence).

Alternatives to the police: Counseling Support groups Assembling a group of close friends who are willing to schedule regular and dependable hangouts or a phone tree if the survivor is scared to be alone/triggered. This can look like four or five friends having a one-on-one regularly scheduled movie date, or study or art or craft making or dinner date with the survivor for the first month or two after the assault. These hangouts would be like regular hangouts and dont need to focus on what happened, but can should the survivor bring it up. If the perpetrator is disclosed and on campus or part of a close-knit community or group of friends, some folks try to confront the perpetrator as a community (this is sometimes called community accountability process). This approach can/has worked, and has also backfired miserably. Theres a lot of info about it on the Internet if the survivor is interested in this. It can be an excellent option for communities that feel extremely unsafe dealing with cops like LBGTQIT folks, folks of color, folks who are drug users or undocumented folks. It can also be a good option for communities that dont want the perpetrator to be ostracized from their community, but rather, be held accountable and rehabilitated. Body work/somatic therapy/acupuncture/massage/exercise. Regardless of whether the police are called or not, many people: Dont feel the depth of their fear for days or weeks after the assault- and seem suddenly and acutely traumatized.
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Become terrified to be alone- especially at night. Have incessant circular thinking of what happened and/or what they wish that theyd done, or, what they would do now if they were in the situation again. o If youre around when this is happening, consider inviting this person to take a walk or a bike ride, or dance or take deep breaths- these are all in an effort to bring them back to their current actual physical bodies in the present moment, and out of their heads. Have PTSD- they may not seem like themselves- they may seem angry or sad or overly cheerful all of the time, or all over the place or having rapidly shifting emotions or behaviors.
o

This is common, and its important that those in the survivors life take good care of themselves so theyre not choosing to take the survivors PTSD personally, and to know how to set good boundaries for themselves.

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Suicide, PTSD & Depression:

Major risk factors for suicide include: Prior suicide attempt(s) Mood disorders Substance abuse Access to lethal means

Major protective factors include: Effective mental health care Connectedness Problem-solving skills

Remember:
Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain.
Quote from: Out of the Nightmare: Recovery from Depression and Suicidal Pain by David Conroy

If you need help, give yourself permission to find it. You can: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TTY:1-800-799-4TTY)
Call Crisis Response of Santa Fe at (505) 820-6333; 1-888-920-6333 Call ALBUQUERQUE- Agora Crisis Center at (505) 277-3013; Toll-free Statewide:

1-866-HELP-1-NM Look online for a crisis hotline

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 Call a psychotherapist (you can ask a friend or check reviews online) Carefully choose a friend, minister or teacher, someone you trust and who is likely to listen Warning Signs: Some behaviors may indicate that a person is at immediate risk for suicide. Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or obtaining a gun Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

Other behaviors may also indicate a serious riskespecially if the behavior is new; has increased; and/or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change.

Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain Talking about being a burden to others Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly Sleeping too little or too much Withdrawing or feeling isolated Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge Displaying extreme mood swings

Terminology:

Suicide attempt: A non-fatal self-directed potentially injurious behavior with any intent to die as result

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of the behavior. A suicide attempt may or may not result in injury.

Suicidal ideation: Thoughts of suicide. These thoughts can range in severity from a vague wish to be dead to active suicidal ideation with a specific plan and intent.

Unintentional injury: A fatal or nonfatal injury that was unplanned and not intended to happen. Causes include a motor vehicle crash, poisoning, fall, fire, and drowning. Unintentional injuries are sometimes referred to as accidents, but this term is discouraged since it implies the injury was not preventable.

Prevention: Interventions designed to stop suicidal behavior before it occurs. These interventions involve reducing the factors that put people at risk for suicide and suicidal behaviors. They also include increasing the factors that protect people or buffer them from being at risk.

Treatment: The care of suicidal people by licensed mental health caregivers, health care providers, and other caregivers with individually tailored strategies designed to change the self-injurious or self-directed violent thoughts, behaviors, mood, environment, or chemistry of individuals that increase the risk for engaging in suicidal behaviors, and help them identify and address their emotional, psychological, and physical needs without engaging in self-destructive behaviors.

Postvention: Actions taken after a suicide has occurred largely to help persons affected by the suicide loss, such as family, friends, and co-workers of the deceased.
(Adapted from: www.sprc.org | Web. 2012.)

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Symptoms: As classified by the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into three main categories: 1. Re-Experiencing This is a repeated reliving of the event, and interferes with daily activity. This category includes flashbacks, frightening thoughts, recurrent memories or dreams, and physical reactions to situations that remind you of the event. 2. Avoidance These symptoms stem from the desire of a person to change their routine to escape similar situations to the trauma. Victims might avoid places, events, or objects that remind them of the experience. Emotions related to avoidance are numbness, guilt, and depression. Some have a decreased ability to feel certain emotions, like happiness. They also might be unable to remember major parts of the trauma, and feel that their future offers less possibilities than other people have.

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3. Hyper-arousal Hyper-arousal symptoms are all physiological. They include difficulty concentrating or falling asleep; being easily startled; feeling tense, and on edge; and angry outbursts. These can sum up to make it difficult for victims of PTSD to complete normal daily tasks.

Understanding PTSD:

Coping & Triggers Coping: A way or strategy to deal effectively with something difficult/traumatic. Triggers: A trigger is a symptomatic reaction from one of the five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste and smell) based only upon a direct connection to an actual traumatic event experienced.

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Triggers fall into two categories: Internal Triggers and External Triggers. Internal Triggers
Things that you feel or experience inside your body. Internal triggers include thoughts or memories, emotions, and bodily sensations (for example, your heart racing). Anger Anxiety Sadness Memories Feeling lonely Feeling abandoned Frustration Feeling out of control Feeling vulnerable Racing heart beat Pain Muscle tension An argument Seeing a news article which reminds you of your traumatic event(s) Watching a movie or TV show which reminds you of your traumatic event(s) Seeing a car accident Certain smells The end of a relationship An anniversary Holidays A specific place Seeing someone who reminds you of a person connect to your traumatic event(s)

External Triggers
Situations, people, or places that you might encounter throughout your day (or things that happen outside your body).

Identifying Your Triggers: Think about when your PTSD symptoms usually occur. Ask yourself the following questions to identify your triggers:

What types of situations are you in? What is happening around you? What kind of emotions are you feeling?

What thoughts are you experiencing? What does your body feel like?

Get out a sheet of paper and write down as many internal and external triggers as you can.
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*For a trigger/PTSD journal, thought control, thought challenging, and other great self-help tools, please visit: http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/posttrauma.asp (You can download and print this self-help guide.) Be careful with self-help, go your own pace it's for your benefit to do only as much as you can.

How have you been coping so far? You may have been dealing with at least some of these difficulties for a while already. Think about what you've done so far to cope, and how effective these strategies have been. Will it be helpful in the long-term, or is it possible that they might be keeping your difficulties going? For example: Asking someone else to go shopping for you instead of driving to the supermarket because you worry that you might have a crash. Think about how you might have coped well with difficulties in the past. What is going well currently and what you are doing to achieve that? What coping strategies and support do you have available to you? Could you be making better use of these? Social support - speaking to people; family, friends, relatives, colleagues, etc. Confidence being sure of your own ability to cope. Problem solving - being able to work out solutions to problems. Self-awareness - knowing how this problem effects you; your body, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Looking after yourself - making sure that you have some time to yourself. For example going for walks, having a relaxing bath, etc.
(http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/posttrauma.asp)

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Coping Cards: When people are experiencing emotional distress, it can be very difficult to think of ways of coping with that distress. Therefore, it is best to think ahead of how you might cope with emotional distress should it arise. It may be helpful to make "coping cards," note cards you can carry with you that take you through a particular coping strategy. To make your own coping cards, get some index cards and write down, step-by-step, what you would need to do to cope with distress using a particular coping strategy, such as deep breathing or grounding. Take these cards with you wherever you go. Then, when you are experiencing distress, take out the card and go through each step. Having a coping card with you means you won't have to come up with a way of coping "in the heat of the moment." You also don't have to worry about remembering all the steps involved in certain coping strategies.
(http://ptsd.about.com/od/selfhelp/a/safetyplan.htm)

Other coping strategies can include:

Mindfulness Relaxation

Grounding Expressive writing Social support Deep breathing

(http://ptsd.about.com/od/selfhelp/a/CopingTriggers.htm)

Self-soothing

Safety Plan A safety plan is designed to keep you safe when you are suddenly confronted with a difficult situation or crisis. It is basically a way of planning ahead for how to cope with problems should they arise. For example, what would you do if you start to experience a flashback while at the grocery store? How would you cope with intrusive thoughts while in a business meeting?
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Think Ahead
Before you go out, think about whether or not you might encounter some triggers for your PTSD symptoms. Identify what those triggers may be to help you cope with them.

Emergency Numbers
Make a list of supportive people you can call should you be in a situation where you need help. Make sure you put more than one number on the list in case the first person you call is not available. If you have a therapist and you are able to contact him or her outside of session, you may want his or her name on your list as well.

Medication
If you are on medication, make sure that you have it available so that you don't run into any risk of missing a dose. Also, if you are on PRN medication (medication taken as needed), make sure that you have it with you in case you are in a situation where you need it to manage your symptoms.

Coping
When people are experiencing emotional distress, it can be very difficult to think of ways of coping with that distress. Therefore, it is best to think ahead of how you might cope with emotional distress should it arise. Think about your coping strategies. (*See coping cards)

A safety plan is all about being prepared. Even if you feel as though there is hardly any chance that PTSD triggered, it is best to take the time to come up with a plan in case you do encounter a trigger. The amount of time that you spend coming up with a safety plan will be well worth it if a crisis situation is prevented.
(http://ptsd.about.com/od/selfhelp/a/safetyplan.htm)

Treatment Getting treatment as soon as possible after PTSD symptoms develop maybe prevent the disorder from becoming a long-term condition. It is important to be treated by a medical professional with knowledge of PTSD. Cognitive therapy This form of talk therapy helps patients to identify and change self-destructive thought patterns.

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 Cognitive behavior therapy CBT combines cognitive and behavioral therapy to help patients identify unhealthy beliefs/behaviors, and replace them with positive ones. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) EMDR combines exposure therapy with a series of guided eye movement that help patients process traumatic memories. Exposure therapy This form of behavioral therapy helps patients safely confront the memories or things that are upsetting or distributing, so that they can learn to cope effectively. Medications: Several types of medications can help symptoms of PTSD such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems, concentration. Support Groups

Additional Help:

If you know or suspect someone is suffering from PTSD: Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. Learn about PTSD, including available recovery resources and treatments. Remember that with time and treatment, victims of PTSD can see improved symptoms and effective management of the disorder. Call The National Center for PTSD (For Veterans and the General Public) at 802.296.6300 Go to: http://www.adaa.org/finding-help Or visit: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml More resources are on page 35
(Adapted from: http://rainn.org | Web. 2009.)

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Forms of depressive disorders:

Major depressive disorder or major depression: A combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. Some people may experience only a single episode within their lifetime, but more often a person may have multiple episodes.

Dysthymic disorder or dysthymia: Characterized by long-term (2 years or longer) symptoms that may not be severe enough to disable a person but can prevent normal functioning or feeling well. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes.

Minor depression: Characterized by having symptoms for 2 weeks or longer that do not meet full criteria for major depression. Without treatment, people with minor depression are at high risk for developing major depressive disorder.

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Signs and symptoms of depression include: Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Irritability, restlessness Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex Fatigue and decreased energy Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping Overeating, or appetite loss Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

Help: If you have depression, you may feel exhausted, helpless, and hopeless. It may be extremely difficult to take any action to help yourself. But as you begin to recognize your depression and begin treatment, you will start to feel better.

Do not wait too long to get evaluated or treated. There is research showing the longer one waits, the greater the impairment can be down the road. Try to see a professional as soon as possible. Try to be active and exercise. Go to a movie, a ballgame, or another event or activity that you once enjoyed. Set realistic goals for yourself. Break up large tasks into small ones, set
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some priorities and do what you can as you can. Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative. Try not to isolate yourself, and let others help you. Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Do not expect to suddenly "snap out of" your depression. Often during treatment for depression, sleep and appetite will
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begin to improve before your depressed mood lifts. Postpone important decisions, such as getting married or divorced or changing jobs, until you feel better. Discuss decisions with others who know you well and have a more

objective view of your situation. Remember that positive thinking will replace negative thoughts as your depression responds to treatment. Continue to educate yourself about depression.

Adapted from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

*For more information, see page 35

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LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ What?

L stands for lesbians women whose primary emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attractions are to other women.

G stands for gay men men whose primary emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attractions are to other men.

B stands for bisexuals men or women whose primary emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attractions are to both women and men.

T stands for transgendered a broad term that includes cross-dressers, transsexuals, and people who live substantial portions of their lives as other than their birth gender. A transgendered person is someone whose gender identity and/or expression differ from conventional expectations for their physical birth sex. Gender identity refers to the internal sense of being male or female, while gender expression refers to how someone presents his or her gender to the world through style of dress, mannerisms, and so on. A transitioning transgender person is one who is modifying her or his physical characteristics and manner of expression to in effect satisfy the standards for membership in another gender. Transgender people can be straight,

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gay, lesbian or bisexual.

Q stands for questioning someone who is questioning their sexual and/or gender orientation. Sometimes, the Q stands for queer, a term reclaimed by some LGBTs for political reasons.
By: Kim Stanley, M.A.

Coming Out: For LGBTQ folks, coming out is a complex process of understanding, accepting, and valuing ones sexual and/or gender identity. Coming out includes both exploring ones identity and sharing that identity with others. It also involves coping with societal responses and attitudes toward LGBTQ people. LGBTQ individuals are forced to come to terms with what it means to be different in a society that tends to assume everyone to be heterosexual and gender conforming. The coming out process is very personal. This process happens in different ways and occurs at different ages for different people. It is usually advisable to come out first to those who are most likely to be supportive. It also is important to remember that, sometimes, coming out may not be the best option (i.e., when physical
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safety is a concern, or if family cultural values conflict with coming out).

Considering Coming Out: If you are gay, lesbian or bisexual, or think you might be, it may be helpful to keep in mind the following suggestions as you move toward self-acceptance: Coming out is a life-long process. You have the right to choose when, where and to whom you come out. Use caution and test the waters. Talk about gay issues first to see the reactions of significant others in your life. Don't expect immediate acceptance. Many people will be surprised by your revelation. They may need time to adjust and to re-examine old stereotypes and myths. If you are rejected by someone after coming out, don't lose sight of your own self worth. Remember, you are just as valuable and worthy as you were before you told that person Clarify your own feelings about your sexuality before sharing them with others.

Remember that coming out may be a difficult process and may require the assistance of a counselor or support group. LGBTQ people are a potential natural support system because they have all experienced at least some of the steps in the process of coming out.

Mental Health: While many LGBTQ individuals do not fully understand their sexual or gender identity until adolescence later, such as in college, most grow up with an awareness that they are somehow different, and with some unclear ideas about what that difference might be. Most commonly, LGBTQs grow up in an environment that covertly, and sometimes overtly, makes them feel that they are bad people, second-class citizens, abnormal, or morally wrong.
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Whatever the message, these individuals can be vulnerable while questioning their identities and often do so in isolation. When they do find a way to recognize, and perhaps label their differences, it is done without the tools required to integrate this new information into their overall identity in an integrated way. Many LGBTQs feel that they must remain hidden and invisible for fear of rejection, maltreatment, and discrimination. It can be quite stressful living in a society where homophobia and heterosexism still exists on a large scale.

Common mental health issues in the LGBTQ community: Depression & Anxiety Substance abuse Problems with family Relationship issues
(Compiled and edited from LGBTQ Pamphlet by Kim Stanley, M.A.)

LGBTQs & Supporters: What You Can Do in Your Local Communities to Combat Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Small actions that make a difference: Wear a pin that represents your support the LGBT community Put a safe space sticker on your doors and/or locker Donate to a LGBT grassroots organization Participate in the "Day of Silence" Educate yourself about homophobia, transphobia, and bi phobia

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Medium actions that make a difference: Educate your friends and family about homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia Join a protest, rally, etc. that is fighting for equal rights for the LGBT community Print out flyers (available links above) and had them out at school Organize or join a Gay Straight Alliance at your school Organize a meeting to educate your colleagues on homophobia, biphobia, transphobia

Large actions that make a difference: Organize a LGBT pride week at school or in your local community Organize a town meeting to help educate and reach out to your local community to inspire them to be active in the fight for the LGBT community Before or after services at your church, synagogue, mosque, temple conduct an educational Write your local congressman letters expressing the support you have for the LGBT community and equal rights
(now.org)

Allies: According to Websters New World Dictionary of the American Language, an ally is someone joined with another for a common purpose. Being an ally with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and issues is the process of working to develop individual attitudes, institutions, and culture in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people feel they matter. This work is motivated by an enlightened self-interest to end homophobia and heterosexism (J. Jay Scott and Vernon Wall, 1991).

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An Ally is a person who works both to facilitate the development of all students around issues of sexual orientation and to improve the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Allies can identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, queer, or heterosexual.

An ally to LGBT individuals is a person who: Believes that it is in her/his self-interest to be an ally to LGBT individuals. Has worked to develop an understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. Works to be comfortable with her/his knowledge of gender identity and sexual orientation. Is comfortable saying the words gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Works to understand how patterns of oppression operate, and is willing to identify oppressive acts and challenge the oppressive behaviors of others. Works to be an ally to all oppressed groups. Finds a way that feels personally congruent to confront /combat homophobia and heterosexism. Similar to how an LGBT person comes out of the closet, an ally comes out as an ally by publicly acknowledging her/his support for LGBT people and issues. Chooses to align with LGBT individuals, and represents their needs especially when they are unable to do so themselves. Expects to make some mistakes and does not give up when things become discouraging. Promotes a sense of community with LGBT individuals, and teaches others about the importance of these communities. Encourages others to also provide advocacy. Is aware that she/he may be called the same names and be harassed in similar ways to those whom she/he is defending. Whenever possible, a heterosexual ally avoids credentializing, which involves disclosing their heterosexual identity in order to

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avoid negative or unpleasant assumptions or situations. Works to address/confront individuals without being defensive, sarcastic, or threatening.

Benefits of Being an Ally: You open yourself up to the possibility of close relationships with an additional 10% of the world. You become less locked into sex role stereotypes. You increase your ability to have close and loving relationships with same-sex friends. You have opportunities to learn from, teach, and have an impact on a population with whom you might not otherwise interact. You may make a profound difference in the life of someone you love who finds something positive in their sexual identity.

Four Steps to Becoming an Ally to LGBTQ+ People:

1. Awareness/Accessing Resources:

Become aware of who you are and how you are different from and similar to LGBT people. Such awareness can be gained through conversations with LGBT individuals, reading about LGBT people and their lives, attending awareness building workshops and meetings, and by self-examination.
2. Knowledge/Education:

Become educated on the issues, knowing facts, statistics, laws, policies and culture of LGBT people.
3. Creating an Open and Supportive Environment:

Encourage and promote an atmosphere of respect. Acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate differences among individuals and within groups. Be a safe and open person to talk with. Join one of the campus Ally Networks.

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4. Take Action:

Teach, share your knowledge. Action is the only way to change society as a whole. Stand up for and fight for human rights.
(http://www.counselingcenter.illinois.edu/outreach-consultation/soda/what-is-an-ally/)

*For numerous resources: help, supporters, more information, please see the resources on page 35

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Places Nearby, Phone Numbers & Hotlines:

In an emergency always call: 911 Solace 24/Hour Advocacy Hotline: 1-800-721-7273 | http://findsolace.org/ (Santa Fe)

Esperanza Shelter (emergency shelter for battered women and children): 800-473-5220

Crisis Response of Santa Fe (on call clinicians/therapists): 800-273-TALK (8255) SCI-State Wide Central Intake 1. To report child abuse, from your cell phone #SAFE (7233) From landline: 855-333-SAFE, Fax: 505-841-6691 or 505-841-6632 2. To report Adult Abuse call: 866-654-3219

New Mexico Suicide Line: 800-273-8255 Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE) answering service: 505-989-5952 Santa Fe Police/Santa Fe County Department Dispatch: 505-428-3710 Santa Fe 1st Judicial District Court (case tracking): 505-827-5000 Life Link (Human trafficking/substance abuse): 505-438-0010 The National Center for PTSD (For Veterans and the General Public) at 802.296.6300 PFLAG: http://www.pflagsantafe.org/ | P.O. Box 32053 / Santa Fe, NM 87594

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (LGBTQ) persons, their families and friends through support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an illinformed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. PFLAG provides parents and friends of LGBT persons an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity and acts to help create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

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Other Resources: Information & Websites:

What is a rape kit? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_kit http://www.pandys.org/articles/rapekit.html http://www.clevelandrapecrisis.org/resources/hospital-medical-resources/what-to-expectin-a-rape-kit-examination http://www.rrsonline.org/?pageid=951

Other info about rape kits: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/jodie-laubenberg-rapekits_b_3491715.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/01/rape-kits-university-of-northtexas/3352975/

Campus handouts/posters/flyer ideas: http://www.911rape.org/request-materials/overview

Consent and other definitions: http://everydayfeminism.com/2012/11/consensual-sex-and-rape/ http://www.clarku.edu/offices/dos/survivorguide/definition.cfm

Overview of multiple rape/sexual assault and abuse issues: http://www.rrsonline.org/?page_id=951

Rape Culture and victim blaming and shaming info: https://www.google.com/search?q=victim+blaming+rape&ie=utf-8&oe=utf8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=rape+culture&rls=org.mozilla:enUS%3Aofficial http://msmagazine.com/blog/2013/05/28/rape-splaining-10-examples-of-victim-blaming/ 34/37

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http://socialistworker.org/2013/01/07/victim-blaming-system-excuses-rape http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhamlin/3925/myths.html http://upsettingrapeculture.com/rape_myths.html http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/10/21/2808231/maryville-rape-survivor-victimblaming/ http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/10/10/2765271/rape-culture-social-media/ http://www.shakesville.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html http://tinyurl.com/alcoholisaweapon http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/06/opinion/whitaker-women-drinking-rape/

College and University Coalition and Community Building to brainstorm possibilities: http://tinyurl.com/saftercampusreport http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/09/stop-sexual-assault-college_n_4067451.html http://health.columbia.edu/services/svprp/rcavsc http://www.unc.edu/~alesiad/ncvanplan.pdf

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

http://rainn.org/effects-of-sexual-assault/post-traumatic-stress-disorder http://www.crisiscenter.org/images/SAINDoc7.pdf http://www.adaa.org/finding-help http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

LGBTQ+

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/ http://www.al-fatiha.org/ http://www.pflag.gapsn.org/ http://www.binetusa.org/ http://www.gsanetwork.org/

http://www.glsen.org/ http://www.lgbtagingproject.org/ http://www.alp.org/ http://www.federationlgbt.org/ http://www.hrc.org/ 35/37

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http://www.nbjcoalition.org/ http://www.nclrights.org/ http://www.nctequality.org/ http://www.ngltf.org/ http://www.latinojustice.org/ http://www.now.org/

http://www.nyacyouth.org/ http://www.transgenderlaw.org/ http://www.pflag.org/ http://www.familypride.org/ http://www.colage.org/ http://www.glaad.org/

"Most Frequently Asked Q's about LGBT People http://www.pflag.org/index.php?id=83 Dos and Don'ts for families and friends of LGBT People: http://www.pflag.org/index.php? id=281

Equality in the States, Legislation: http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm? Section=About_HRC&CONTENTID=24615&TEMPLATE=/ContentManagement/ContentDispla y.cfm

Transgender Civil Rights Project: http://www.thetaskforce.org/ourprojects/tcrp/index.cfm Transgender Reports & Research: http://www.thetaskforce.org/theissues/library.cfm? issueID=21&pubTypeID=2 Safe Schools & Youth: http://www.pflag.org/index.php?id=107 FAQ on Safe Zones on campus: http://www.lgbtcampus.org/faq/safe_zone.html Stonewall Youth: http://stonewallyouth.org/

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