Cornell Advocates for Rape Education (CARE)

CARE was founded in 1984, as an ad hoc committee intent on providing education and awareness of campus sexual assault and its related issues. Today, it is comprised of students, staff and faculty from a wide variety of disciplines. For twenty years under the guidance and support of its twenty year Chair, Dr. Andrea Parrot, CARE members have

• developed administrative initiatives
• prepared and distributed educational materials
• promoted and developed educational programs
• provided consultation to parents, campus administrators, other universities and government officials
• conducted evaluation of sexual assault educational efforts
• presented at national conferences
• proposed and initiated campus policy issues related to the care and support of survivors
• maintained a website with extensive information about sexual assault

At Gannett, we are proud of our steady involvement in CARE from its inception through the present. Medical, counseling and health promotion staff have been actively involved in efforts to create a campus community free from sexual assault, aware of its devastating impacts, and supportive of those affected by it. We provide education for prevention, medical and counseling services for survivors of sexual assault, collaboration on campus safety initiatives, and victim advocacy services.

Mission and goals of CARE

The mission of CARE is to: "work toward a community free of sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, assault and violence".

The goals are:

1) To support, encourage and/or provide education for all. Educational efforts will promote:

• community responsibility for the well-being of all its members
• violence-free relationships
• self-education
• collaboration with groups on and off campus

2) To monitor needs in the Cornell community. Efforts will focus on:

• the study of individual, social and institutional dynamics and trends
• the identification of resources
• the review of policy and judicial procedures
• environmental factors which contribute to the cultural, social and political climate resulting in sexual violence

3) To advocate for the institutional and social change through:

• the development of just policies and procedures
• the provision of supportive services

In honor of its 20th anniversary, CARE invited several exciting speakers to campus throught the 2004-2005 year.

• An interactive theater program called "Sex Signals" educated and entertained over 1500 new students about the risks of sexual assault during August orientation.  Brought to campus by the Orientation Steering Committee and DOS, CARE was instrumental in supporting the idea that this kind of programming be offered to new students when they arrive on campus.
• Representatives from MADRE, an international human rights group visited campus October 20-21, 2004. Sponsored by CAREand other departments on campus, the lectures in the Tatkon Center, Law School and in classes addressed global violence against women.
• Former Attorney General and Cornell alumna Janet Reno was on campus November 6-9, 2004. On November 8 she gave a public lecture entitled "The Impact of the Presidential Election on Violence Against Women" in recognition of CARE's 20 years of work.

• On March 6-7, 2005, former pro-football quarterback Don McPherson visited campus to meet with male athletes, athletic coaches and to present a public lecture entitled "You Throw Like A Girl". McPherson is currently Exectuive Director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi Unviersity. He attended Syracuse University where he played quarterback and complied 22 school records. He was an All-America selection and  runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting. Don played professional football with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Houston Oilers and the Canadian Football Leagues' Hamilton Tigers and Ottawa Rough-Riders. In 1996, Don was named Director of Sport in Society's Mentors in Violence Prevention Program (MVP), a gender violence prevention program designed to address male students athletes and encourage their involvement in campus programs. ________________________________________

Members of CARE

Its members represent a wide variety of departments and organizations including:

• Africana Library
• Community Development/Residence Life
• Cornell Police
• Cornell Women's Resource Center
• Dean of Students
• Gannett Health Services
• International Students and Scholars Office
• Judicial Administrators Office
• Local organizations (The Advocacy Center)
• Student organizations and activists
• More information about CARE members and activities is available on the CARE website.