Stop the Silence begins new chapter at IU

Last May, IU became the first college campus to create a Stop the Silence chapter, a nonprofit organization that serves to raise awareness of sexual assault against children.

The organization’s IU chapter has a simple mission: to educate the entire Bloomington campus about child abuse, help those who have been affected by it and promote resources.

“I wanted to start the organization because I was abused as a child,” said sophomore Jaclyn Lahr,  president of IU’s chapter. “I wanted to find a way to help people like myself.”

Stop the Silence began in 2002 with Pamela Pine, an international health and development specialist. Lahr asked to start a Bloomington chapter and, after drafting a constitution, it was approved as a student chapter.

“I felt that all the organizations that I found focused on date rape and abuse, and I wanted to find an organization that was specifically focused on helping those who were sexually assaulted at a young age,” Lahr said.

IU chapter’s secretary Kelsie Stanhope said this is a global issue.

“Not a lot of people would necessarily think of this social issue on a daily basis,” Stanhope said. “But it is an incredibly important one, not only in our society but throughout the world.”

Although it’s a new organization on campus, Stop the Silence already has various events planned. It will organize many fundraising and awareness events throughout the year and spread awareness through the arts.

A movie inspired by the organization, “To Kill a Kelpie,” was shown in Woodburn Hall 120 and was followed by a panel discussion.

With 10 board members and 40 members on the mailing list already, Stop the Silence members are anticipating more people will join the Bloomington chapter.

“The best way to get involved with Stop the Silence would be to join the Facebook group, ‘Stop the Silence at Indiana University,’” Stanhope said.
For more information on Stop the Silence at IU, search “Stop the Silence at Indiana University” at myinvolvement.indiana.edu or contact jmlahr@indiana.edu.