The Kenyon Thrill is honored to promote the Sexual Respect Peer Alliance (SRPA), a student-led organization dedicated to empowering Kenyon students to have healthy, consensual sexual relationships. We hope this article can serve as a helpful tool in acquainting the community with SRPA and explaining the group’s new partnership with domestic abuse shelter and rape crisis center New Directions. 

SRPA Supporters are trained to offer informed support for those who have experienced sexual misconduct, while maintaining the confidentiality of conversations. Furthermore, they are familiar with Kenyon’s Title IX process and are available to help students navigate this if they choose. SRPA Supporters are here to talk with survivors and their friends and loved ones – inclusive of background or identity – and to offer support and connect them to resources on and off campus. SRPA is also dedicated to providing educational opportunities that focus on sex positivity, sexual health, and sexual respect. They are very excited to begin hosting these educational events with the help of their new partners, New Directions. 

Based in Mount Vernon, New Directions provides free and confidential resources for the safety, healing and freedom of individuals who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault and offers preventive education to create an informed and supportive community. New Directions offers services such as one-on-one support via their 24/7 Hotline, hospital accompaniment, and a text/chat line. They also emphasize a commitment to inclusion across race, age, ability, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, socioeconomic level, identity and experience, aiming to provide free and confidential services to any and all survivors. 

The new partnership between SRPA and New Directions presents many benefits for both organizations. For starters, SRPA will receive thorough and professional training through the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV), which has been facilitated by New Directions. The partnership also creates opportunities for collaborative events and outreach between the two organizations, with New Directions increasing their on-campus involvement and SRPA engaging with the Knox County community outside of Kenyon. SRPA is incredibly thankful for New Directions’ ongoing kindness and support and will continue to promote their organization as a resource for survivors who may be seeking extra support.  

SRPA:

• Contact: Anyone is welcome to reach out to a SRPA Supporter via their individual phone numbers, which are all listed on the group’s poster! 
• Email: sexualrespectpeeralliance@gmail.com
• Instagram: @srpagambier 
• Facebook: facebook.com/srpagambier 
• Website: srpagambier.wordpress.com 

New Directions:

• 24/7 Hotline: 740-397-HELP (4357) 
• Instagram: @newdirectionsshelter 
• Facebook: facebook.com/newdirectionsshelteroh 
• Website: https://newdirectionsshelter.org/