The University News

Issue date: 9/10/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Kara Caldwell Men Against Violence co-sponsored Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. Participants showed their solidarity during the Sept. 4 event.

As most people sleep at night, there is a group who try desperately to find the strength to close their eyes. Victims of sexual assault find it very hard to do normal things most people take for granted. One of the reasons may be because a majority of victims are assaulted by someone they know.

To curb this troubled state, MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) is making strides in trying to help victims of sexual assault through advocacy and educational programs to prevent sexual abuse and assault.

"MOCSA has been in existence for 32 years," said Alison Jones-Lockwood, coordinator of Advocacy and Outreach Services. "We provide anything from a 24-hour crisis hotline, a 24-hour advocacy service to law enforcement help and personal support for a court date."

The hotline is comprised of a crisis line team and volunteers. They complete 30-hour agency training and provide support, referrals, problem solving and information.

MOCSA has a variety of programs catering to the different needs of victims. Some of the programs which have benefited victims and the community are individual sessions for victims with professionals in crisis intervention, support groups and START (Survivors and Thrivers Achieve Respect Together).

START helps adults who experienced sexual abuse in their childhoods.

MOCSA looks at the subject of sexual assault from many angles. They look at the support and aid of the victims, but also, they try to educate university men about important factors of getting approval from women, asking women and understanding/accepting non-compliance from a woman.

The UMKC Women's Center and MOCSA work together through the Department of Justice-Violence against Women Grant to Combat Violent Crimes against Women on Campuses (Campus Grant). This $200,000, two-year grant is administered through the Women's Center and serves as an important bridge with programs by MOCSA for students.

One of the main reasons for MOCSA's influence and help at UMKC is due to research findings stating assault on women is more prevalent at ages 15-24.

MOCSA partners with high schools and universities in a variety of ways to promote the awareness/education of sexual assault prevention and help support the victims of sexual assault.

Continued...

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