How The Stats Are Giving Survivors of Sexual Violence More Say in Their Support

CW: sexual assault, rape

One of the most distinct memories that I have from my freshman year was from my first week on campus - orientation week. Our Dean of Students gathered all of the first year students in our building and shared some shocking news. A fellow first year student was assaulted at one of the fraternities on campus at an unofficial gathering. It was her, and our, FIRST WEEKEND on-campus. 

That has stuck with me to this day. 

I often wonder, how did she move forward? Was she supported by the school and/or her family? Did she stay? Did she withdraw? Did she report? How did this violation impact her life? Who is she now?

We step onto campus with so much promise, excitement, curiosity, and zest for life. College is a time of exploration, an opportunity to learn who we are and want to be, and where we form lifelong friendships. For many of us, college is the place where we explore and push our social boundaries. And Greek Life is often at the center of our social experiences. 

When I stepped on the Union College campus, I knew I wanted to be part of Greek Life. I was looking for a place of belonging and sisterhood. And, in Fall 2008, I became a member of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/ Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc (LPC).

Joining LPC put me in the center of campus social culture - hosting educational, cultural, and social events on campus. But knowing about that violation made me very vigilant when I engaged in the social side of the college experience. When we threw or attended events, I was attune to the dynamics between party goers. I never wanted someone close to me to be harmed or for harm to happen on my watch. But, the reality is….it was happening. 

Whispers and Yik Yak messages discussed problematic chapters or certain members to “watch out for.” And, the craziest part is that these same conversations are still happening NOW! The difference now is that we know more about perpetration and there are more resources to support survivors. 

Serial Perpetration on College Campuses

When sexual assault occurs, survivors often wonder, “did he do this to someone else?” Statistically, the answer is a definitive, YES! Over 90% of campus sexual assaults are committed by serial perpetrators who offend an average of six times before they graduate. Yes, you read that right. 6 times.

Yet, only 6% of student survivors report to Title IX or the police. There are a number of reasons why survivors choose not to report - blame, shame, guilt, uncertainty, not trusting Title IX - but, one of the biggest reasons is questioning if what happened was sexual assault or rape. 

While they are navigating these emotions and trauma, many survivors expressed wanting to know if someone else was harmed by the same perpetrator or indicated that they would have done something if they knew they were not the only one or could have prevented someone else from being hurt. This is not the survivor’s responsibility to shoulder. And, going public is usually the way that survivors learn that their offender is a serial perpetrator. 

But, what if I told you that you don’t have to go public to learn if someone was harmed by the same perpetrator, and that there is a free resource that can support you right now? 

That resource is called Callisto Vault. 

Callisto Vault: A Revolutionary Way to Connect Survivors of Serial Perpetrators

Callisto’s proprietary Matching System is the first and only tool that leverages cryptography to empower survivors to determine if other individuals have been harmed by the same perpetrator, without compromising their privacy.

When a survivor enters the unique identifiers of the perpetrator, such as social media handles, phone number, or email address, the Matching System scans against other matching entry submissions. In the event that another survivor entered the same unique identifier, a match is established. This groundbreaking approach enables the detection of serial perpetrators in an encrypted environment.

Upon matching, survivors are contacted by a Legal Options Counselor, who helps explain the survivor’s legal options and can facilitate collective action, if they choose. The survivor's privacy remains safeguarded throughout the process. This support system helps survivors regain control and explore their options on their own terms and in their own time.

Callisto Vault is offered, free of cost, to anyone with a .edu email address at a college or university in the United States and its territories. A few key features of Callisto Vault that you may find valuable to support you and your organization/members:

• Callisto Vault is a third-party tool that does not report to Title IX or police.

• Callisto Vault can detect serial perpetrators across campuses, including those who are not affiliated with your (or any) campus.

• Callisto Vault strengthens formal reporting outcomes through its ability to identify and connect survivors of serial perpetrators to free legal options, counseling, and each other.

  
  

There is power in connecting survivors through the Matching System, as it shifts the conversation from “he said, she said” to “we said.” That power is already at your fingertips.

I invite you to harness that power, regain your voice, or take that next step forward in your healing and justice journey by creating your free account today at www.callistovault.org. 

Let Us Support You and Your Friends 

With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), you will see lots of campus activity around the issue of sexual violence. SAAM also sets the stage for disclosures to occur where a friend or sister may share with you that they experienced a violation. Oftentimes, they are coming to you seeking help, support, and resources. And, Callisto’s website is chock full of resources designed to support survivors’ understanding of the full range of options available to them, including:

• Immediate help information for survivors seeking support within the first few days of the incident including Forensic Exams.

• If someone you care about has experienced sexual assault, it can be difficult to know what to say, especially if you are processing your own reactions or you are worried about saying the wrong thing. The Callisto Allies’ Guide was designed by survivors and allies to encourage thoughtful, empathetic, and effective support of survivors of sexual assault.

• Resources on the reporting process with Title IX and law enforcement

• A Survivor’s Guide specifically designed to help college sexual assault survivors navigate post-assault challenges including trauma, safety planning, academic, financial, workplace, and mental/physical health impacts. 

Survivors deserve a world of options. Period. Callisto is here to stand in the gap! Please visit our website at www.projectcallisto.org.