Domestic Violence Services Officer Chalese Calhoon and YWCA Director of Client Services Danielle Hill will begin having open office hours Thursdays in Reid Campus Center’s meeting room 110, starting Sept. 20, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

These open office hours will offer Whitman students the chance to come and talk to Calhoon and Hill about any questions related to sexual assault in a confidential and low-pressure atmosphere. The office hours evolved from discussions between Calhoon, Hill and Sexual Misconduct Response Coordinator Barbara Maxwell.

“The three of us have been trying to figure out how to make resources in Walla Walla more available to Whitman students who might want to take advantage of them in cases where they’ve experienced any form of sexual assault or sexual violence,” Maxwell said.

Last semester, Maxwell issued a comprehensive safety survey for students to take for the first time ever. It got her thinking about the safety services that Whitman offered and where there was room for improvement.

“One of the things that I think we’re really, really good at is the support services that we offer to students if they have been sexually assaulted. Where I think we’re weak is sort of the preventative efforts before something happens,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell also wants the office hours with Calhoon and Hill to be an opportunity to dispel the misperception that “the college tries to hide incidences of sexual violence.”

“That’s really untrue,” Maxwell said of that viewpoint. “We started working together to help educate the campus so that they’re aware that there are local resources and that the college not only knows that they’re there, but the college is active in promoting them.”

Calhoon said that the office hours will be an informal, confidential resource for students.

“We can provide outreach to the students so they know we’re out here if they need something like temporary shelter or medical attention,” Calhoon said. “We have no agenda. We just want to let people know we’re here to help with whatever questions you have and to make that an easy process.”

The office hours can put students in touch with other resources, including the police. But, Calhoon stressed, there is no pressure to report a criminal offense.

“Sexual assault is obviously a crime, and we want to give victims the opportunity to at least consider if they want to pursue a criminal case and see what that looks like,” Calhoon said.

Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing Sean Gehrke thinks that Calhoon and Hill’s office hours will be a good resource for the campus.

“They’ll be able to provide a lot of insight about any issues that people have questions about, so they’re good resources and expert opinions, if you will,” Gehrke said. “People can come to ask questions, whether it’s around issues of sexual assault or just anything they’re curious about.”

Sophomore Julie Grimm believes that the low-pressure atmosphere of the office hours is valuable.

“Some people might not feel ready to come to the police with an accusation, but to talk to them in a more laid-back setting that’s not pointing fingers might be really good and helpful for people,” Grimm said.

Junior Brianna Sullivan agreed.

“I personally appreciate any effort the Whitman community makes to help people who’ve been victims of sexual abuse,” Sullivan said. “People think it won’t happen to them, and people think that it doesn’t happen at Whitman, and those are both wrong.”

“What can it hurt to have one more resource?” added Sullivan. “If that resource can help just one more person through a traumatic experience, then I think it’s worthwhile.”

Calhoon agreed, but she wants to put more emphasis on prevention of sexual assault.

“How do we motivate females to use our voices?” said Calhoon. “I think we’re so groomed to be polite and nice, and when it comes to sexual assault and date rape, it’s like we’re paralyzed to say anything or hurt anybody’s feelings by telling them ‘no.'”

Calhoon pointed out that the office hours are available to any Whitman student, not just to females. The office hours are also not strictly for questions relating to sexual assault; Calhoon welcomes any questions relating to parking tickets, DUIs, alcohol, friends in jail, employment opportunities or research papers.

The office hours will continue for at least this semester and will be renewed depending on how often they are used.