WHAT WE DO
Empowering Catholic academic communities to create safer campuses and combat rape culture.
Dinah’s Voice is a student-focused, survivor-driven organization whose mission is to empower students on Catholic academic campuses against sexual violence through education and advocacy.
We do this by advocating for survivors with their administrations and communities, offering education services to students and staff, and providing resources to change a culture of sexual violence that is pervasive within academic environments.
STUDENT EMPOWERMENT
Students are our main focus and the very ones we want to empower to change the culture on their campuses, especially among their fellow peers.
ADMINISTRATIVE CONSULTING
We want to encourage administrators to create safer policies and protections for all students and the academic community.
COMMUNITY COOPERATION
An academic community includes the students, the staff, and the alumni. All these facets of the community should have a voice that is heard when it comes to eliminating sexual violence.
CHURCH INVOLVEMENT
Church leaders and organizers must understand sexual violence and initiate conversations about it, and we hope to contribute towards a church culture where survivors feel safe coming forward.
CHANGING THE INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE
One step at a time
Community commitment to education and human dignity must be the starting point for any meaningful change to occur around the stigma of sexual violence in the survivors of these crimes.
EDUCATION
Students should be informed about their rights and options under Title IX and the Clery Act.
FAITH
Survivors have spiritual needs and should be welcomed by their pastors.
HUMAN DIGNITY
Survivors of sexual violence should be treated with respect during investigations.
HUMAN SEXUALITY
Providing consent education does not contradict Catholic teachings on sexuality and should be available by default.
IT’S NOT JUST A LEGAL MATTER
Basic Gospel values
Following legal directives and implementing proper response protocol to sexual violence, while extremely important, do not go far enough in promoting the Gospel values that Catholic institutions are founded on and espouse. We must collaborate to create communities that promote the flourishing of all and the protection of survivors of sexual violence. Silence in the face of these crimes will only wound.
INITIATIVE
Let people know that it’s ok to talk about it, it’s ok to report it, and it’s ok to come forward. Fear should never be a reason to not report.
PREVENTION
Provide students with the tools and resources they need to be aware of red flags in their relationships with others.
RESPECT DIGNITY
People are called to uphold the dignity of survivors of sexual violence and support them charitably in the aftermath of an attack.
ADVOCACY FOR ALL
Academic communities should be advocates for safer campuses and students without discrimination or judgement.
Latest Posts
Saints for a #MeToo Era
Many rape survivors have heard Maria Goretti’s story and come away feeling like the Church thinks they’re better off dead. Why doesn’t the Church talk about the bravery of those[…]
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What a rape kit is (and isn’t)
Graphic discussion of sexual assault evidence-collection process ahead. The steps and images used in this article are taken from the New York State sexual offense evidence collection kit. Nicknames and[…]
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Building up and sustaining your inner self
I’ve traditionally had a hard time with boundaries — and if I’m completely honest with myself, I still do. Sometimes it manifests as feeling responsible for managing other people’s emotions.[…]
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Contact us
Reach out to Dinah’s Voice at info@dinahsvoice.org or use the form below