2018
February 12 - #thisisUC
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February 7 - Candlelight Vigil for Survivors
February 6 - #metoo
January 31 - Messages of Support
2017
September 15 - Self Care Night
August 21 - Messages of Support on Social Media
June 28, 2017 - Justice for Sam Dubose at UC
May 31 - Mass March for Sam Dubose
"Students for Survivors is a student-led movement dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault regardless of race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, or ability at the University of Cincinnati. We live in a society that upholds rape culture by normalizing sexual violence and trivializing sexual assault. The University of Cincinnati is complicit in rape culture and continues to fail survivors.
We are here with you tonight because we must recognize that oppression is intersectional. We cannot fight one oppressive system, without fighting all of them. Rape culture and police brutality have many things in common. People respond to rape culture with “not all men;” people respond to police brutality with “not all cops.” People perpetuate rape culture with victim blaming, by asking survivors “were you drinking,” “what were you wearing,” “what did you do to stop it?.” People excuse police brutality by blaming the victim, by asking “were they armed?” “what’s their criminal record?” “did they comply?” These similarities are not coincidence; the system was made to work this way. In reality, no human being deserves to be raped, no human being deserves to be abused or killed by the police.
UC is an active participant in these evil systems. The university is currently under a federal investigation through the Office of Civil Rights for being a “sexually hostile environment.” Students for Survivors presented the university with a list of demands, providing ways the university could better support survivors and address sexual violence on our campus. Our demands have not been met. Perpetrators of sexual violence are not held accountable, and survivor resources are far from adequate. We still do not have a policy on sex offenses. However, UC recently published their new tobacco free campus policy. The policy states that students can receive fines or sanctions from the student code of conduct, faculty and staff can be fired for using tobacco products, and visitors can be ticketed and banned from campus. While, to this day, my rapist is allowed to walk freely on UC’s campus. UC claimed that they could not ban someone from a public university. The tobacco policy clearly states otherwise.
Further, this tobacco policy will be enforced by UCPD, meaning marginalized folks are more likely to be targeted, ticketed, and affected. Kidd and Lindenschmidt, the two officers who corroborated Tensing’s story, are still on the police force, patrolling campus. If they are willing to lie about a murder, I’m sure they are willing to lie about someone’s use of tobacco on campus. Just like UC is complicit in systems of oppression, so is our criminal “injustice” system. This system was not created to deliver justice. It is an extension of slavery, created to maintain white power and wealth. The system is not here to protect us. We see time and time again killer cops walking free, getting paid vacation for committing murder. There is no justice for the black and brown lives lost at the hands of the state. We see rapists walking free, no justice for survivors. Enough is enough.
Today we are here to demand justice for Sam Dubose. We demand a conviction for Ray Tensing. The University of Cincinnati is an institution rooted in oppression, an institution that continues to operate to uphold white supremacy, capitalism, racism, patriarchy, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. We CAN see here that UC is complicit is racism. Their police officer murdered Sam Dubose. Because of racist policies put in place by former UC president Santa Ono, UCPD is allowed to be “harsh on crime” in the surrounding community, allowing police officers to stop people off campus, disproportionately people of color. These policies directly led to the murder of Sam Dubose.
UC campus is not safe. The police department’s reform is bullshit; a way to project safety for its white students. UC has proven that they value image over safety. Its very clear that they‘re making reforms to brand themselves as an institution that values safety when in reality they do nothing in action or policy that actually values their students’ safety.
The University of Cincinnati doesn’t give a damn about survivors, doesn’t give a damn about black people, doesn’t give a damn about marginalized folks. UC cares about their brand, to ensure that they continue to uphold their wealth, power, and image. Still to this day, We must hold UC accountable for its complacency. Today we will march, we will fight, we will take the streets together to demand a conviction for Ray Tensing."
- Grace Cunningham, Students for Survivors - Founder, speech at the Mass March for Sam Dubose
We are here with you tonight because we must recognize that oppression is intersectional. We cannot fight one oppressive system, without fighting all of them. Rape culture and police brutality have many things in common. People respond to rape culture with “not all men;” people respond to police brutality with “not all cops.” People perpetuate rape culture with victim blaming, by asking survivors “were you drinking,” “what were you wearing,” “what did you do to stop it?.” People excuse police brutality by blaming the victim, by asking “were they armed?” “what’s their criminal record?” “did they comply?” These similarities are not coincidence; the system was made to work this way. In reality, no human being deserves to be raped, no human being deserves to be abused or killed by the police.
UC is an active participant in these evil systems. The university is currently under a federal investigation through the Office of Civil Rights for being a “sexually hostile environment.” Students for Survivors presented the university with a list of demands, providing ways the university could better support survivors and address sexual violence on our campus. Our demands have not been met. Perpetrators of sexual violence are not held accountable, and survivor resources are far from adequate. We still do not have a policy on sex offenses. However, UC recently published their new tobacco free campus policy. The policy states that students can receive fines or sanctions from the student code of conduct, faculty and staff can be fired for using tobacco products, and visitors can be ticketed and banned from campus. While, to this day, my rapist is allowed to walk freely on UC’s campus. UC claimed that they could not ban someone from a public university. The tobacco policy clearly states otherwise.
Further, this tobacco policy will be enforced by UCPD, meaning marginalized folks are more likely to be targeted, ticketed, and affected. Kidd and Lindenschmidt, the two officers who corroborated Tensing’s story, are still on the police force, patrolling campus. If they are willing to lie about a murder, I’m sure they are willing to lie about someone’s use of tobacco on campus. Just like UC is complicit in systems of oppression, so is our criminal “injustice” system. This system was not created to deliver justice. It is an extension of slavery, created to maintain white power and wealth. The system is not here to protect us. We see time and time again killer cops walking free, getting paid vacation for committing murder. There is no justice for the black and brown lives lost at the hands of the state. We see rapists walking free, no justice for survivors. Enough is enough.
Today we are here to demand justice for Sam Dubose. We demand a conviction for Ray Tensing. The University of Cincinnati is an institution rooted in oppression, an institution that continues to operate to uphold white supremacy, capitalism, racism, patriarchy, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. We CAN see here that UC is complicit is racism. Their police officer murdered Sam Dubose. Because of racist policies put in place by former UC president Santa Ono, UCPD is allowed to be “harsh on crime” in the surrounding community, allowing police officers to stop people off campus, disproportionately people of color. These policies directly led to the murder of Sam Dubose.
UC campus is not safe. The police department’s reform is bullshit; a way to project safety for its white students. UC has proven that they value image over safety. Its very clear that they‘re making reforms to brand themselves as an institution that values safety when in reality they do nothing in action or policy that actually values their students’ safety.
The University of Cincinnati doesn’t give a damn about survivors, doesn’t give a damn about black people, doesn’t give a damn about marginalized folks. UC cares about their brand, to ensure that they continue to uphold their wealth, power, and image. Still to this day, We must hold UC accountable for its complacency. Today we will march, we will fight, we will take the streets together to demand a conviction for Ray Tensing."
- Grace Cunningham, Students for Survivors - Founder, speech at the Mass March for Sam Dubose
April-July 2017 - Countdown to Conviction Coalition
On July 19, 2015, Samuel Dubose was shot and killed by former University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing. Tensing was formally indicted and charged by the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office over a year ago, and the Dubose family has yet to see anyone held responsible. Worse they had to endure a second grave injustice when, on the morning of November 12, 2016, in the case of The State of Ohio vs. Raymond M. Tensing, the jury was unable to find Tensing guilty of either murder or voluntary manslaughter and yet again, a police officer has walked free for the murder of an unarmed Black man. Additionally, the court did not have the decency to allow travel time for all family members of Sam DuBose to reach the courthouse before announcing the mistrial. As the Countdown to Conviction Coalition, we will not stand by silently and allow this racist system to continue unchecked. With the start of Tensing re-trial looming, the Countdown to Conviction Coalition, a coalition of anti-police brutality advocates, interfaith clergy, student activists, and community leaders, is standing together stronger than ever in solidarity with the loved ones of Samuel Dubose calling for the conviction of Ray Tensing.
April - Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault occurs at an alarming rate on college campuses. Survivors are not being supported, resources are not adequate, perpetrators are not being held accountable, and the university continues to care more about their reputation than speaking up on this issue. Students for Survivors refused to be silent. We created a month full of survivor-centric events to raise awareness and to let survivors know there are people at UC who care and support them.
The university planned events/activities this month to present themselves as an institution that supports survivors. We remained critical of the lack of authenticity from this institution. None of these events were survivor-focused. You cannot do this work without centering survivors and their experiences. |
April 28 - RECLAIM
April 27, 2017 - Art Therapy
April 19 - #WhyIWearTeal
April 13 - Take Back the Night at the University of Cincinnati
April 7 - Hope is Essential
April 4 - Candlelight Vigil for Survivors of Sexual Assault
March 29-31, 2017 - Tabling on Campus
March 3, 2017 - Self Care for Survivors
February 24, 2017 - SFS Solidarity with Ohio University: Stop Protecting Predatory Professors
SFS occupied space outside of Tangeman University Center to show solidarity and support to survivors and students at Ohio University.
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Students at OU presented demands and planned "Rally Against Sexual Harassment and Assault at OU" on February 24th. Andrew Escobedo, English Professor at Ohio University, was found responsible for engaging in sexual misconduct with four different members of the campus community. OU failed to de-tenure and ban Escobedo from campus. OU's failure to adequately address this situation was a direct representation of how rape persists on college campuses. Students at Students for Survivors showed solidarity with the students at OU advocating for survivors' and students' safety and right to obtain an education without experiencing sexual violence.
Escobedo has since been fired from Ohio University.
Escobedo has since been fired from Ohio University.
February 15, 2017 - Rape Culture Lives Here: Educational Forum and Discussion
SFS hosted an educational forum and discussion to share information about our student-led movement. Rape culture lives and thrives at the University of Cincinnati. UC is currently under a federal investigation for being a "sexually hostile environment." UC has and continues to fail survivors. We shared a timeline of SFS, our principles, information on UC's complacency in rape culture, an update to the list of demands.
February 11, 2017 - Not On Our Watch: Defend Mt. Auburn Women's Clinic
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Black Lives Matter: Cincinnati, UC Socialist Students, Socialist Alternative and others gathered outside of the Mt. Auburn Planned Parenthood Clinic to fight for reproductive justice. Anti-choice forces organized actions across the country at Planned Parenthood facilities, calling for them to be defunded. We did not let anti-choice forces be the only signs and voices present at the clinic. We showed solidarity for abortion rights with signs, chants, songs, and positive energy, successfully outnumbering and demoralizing opponents of women's rights.
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February 5, 2017 - Solidarity Statement with activists at Ohio University
January 17, 2017 - Cincinnati Enquirer publishes article about SFS
January 11, 2017 - Meeting with UC Administration
Members of Students for Survivors met with Bleuzette Marshall - VP for Equity & Inclusion, Debra Merchant - VP of Student Affairs, Peter Landgren - Interim Senior VP for Academic Affairs and Provost. In a two hour meeting, we shared personal experiences, ways the university fails survivors, and how UC can authentically support survivors in the future. We were lied to about how RECLAIM was dismantled. This meeting was re-traumatizing, given people representing the university did not take what we had to say seriously. We were told that it is not likely for survivors and former Reclaim advocates to receive an apology, that establishing a department for survivors would not occur. We were offered ways to join current initiatives, merely a way for us to work on behalf of the university and be co-opted into the administration's ideas of survivor-centric programs.
January 3, 2017 - Meeting with Bleuzette Marshall, VP for Equity & Inclusion
Bleuzette Marshall met with two members of Students for Survivors. We shared background information on SFS, the current campus climate, and how survivors are not being supported at this institution. Marshall offered tentative ways in which SFS could further reach their demands. These were formally introduced to us in the meeting that occurred a week later.
2016
December 8, 2016 - Students for Survivors Demonstration in University Pavilion
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The University of Cincinnati's Response to our demands was inadequate. We occupied the 6th floor of Administration's Offices. We covered our mouths with duct tape to represent the silence survivors face. While occupying the space, Interim President Beverly Davenport ignored and walked over us. After siting in silence, we read our mission statement and a response to the letter we received from UC.
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Students for Survivors response read at demonstration on December 8:
December 5, 2016 - University of Cincinnati Responds to the Demands
December 2, 2016 - Poetry + Performances in Response to Rape Culture at McMicken Freespace
Members of SFS shared personal pieces on rape culture & sexual assault. Thanks to McMicken Freespace for creating such an amazing event and space for survivors.
November 22, 2016 - Students for Survivors presents the List of Demands to the University of Cincinnati
November 20, 2016 - Candlelight Vigil for Survivors at Rohs Street Cafe
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We read messages of support that we gathered on campus & online, lit candles in solidarity with survivors, and allowed a safe space for survivors. Thank you to the WHW Campus Advocates for being present.
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November 18, 2016 - Rally for UC Accountability
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Black Lives Matter Cincinnati, the Countdown to Conviction Coalition, and SFS joined forces to shine a light on UC's inability and/or unwillingness to take palpable measures to combat campus violence and police violence against people of color.
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November 16, 2016 - Expel Perpetrator from the University of Cincinnati Petition
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We created a petition in response to a case where UC found John Doe responsible for sexual assault, was only sanctioned a one year suspension. John Doe filed a case against UC in the federal court claiming he did not receive due process. We demand that the University of Cincinnati expel perpetrators of sexual violence.
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November 15-17, 2016 - Tabling on Campus
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We tabled on campus to gather messages of support for survivors for Candlelight Vigil.
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August 31, 2016 - Candlelight Vigil for Survivors at McMicken Commons
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We hosted a vigil to hold time and space for survivors, sharing messages of support, and letting survivors know that there are people on this campus who care, believe, and support them. Thanks to WHW advocates & CAPS staff for being present to provide direct support.
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August 29-31, 2016 - Tabling on Campus
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We tabled on campus to share information about our movement and gather messages of support for survivors.
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August 11, 2016 - Students for Survivors was formed.
July 2016 - Emails sent out from UC Public Safety
June 21, 2016 - Gender-Based Violence Prevention Committee meeting in UC Women's Center
April 2016 - UC Us Supporting Survivors
2015
August 2015 - Reclaim Terminated
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RECLAIM was a peer campus-based advocacy program for survivors of gender-based and sexual violence at the University of Cincinnati that was nationally recognized. The University of Cincinnati terminated the program without any transparency. Former Reclaim advocates created "Where is Reclaim?" to hold the university accountable. The questions from these advocates and UC community have not been answered. Survivors were left without advocacy and support.
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