Lilli Romann ’19

Seven female students congregated in the Staples lobby during Communication Time on Friday, Dec. 1 to protest sexual assault and harassment with, what they referred to as a “walk” down the Staples halls.

“We want there to be more awareness at Staples and in Westport about the resources that the school has and show that [sexual assault] really does happen here and it is a real thing that we need to address,” Monique Østbye ’18, a participant of the walk, said. “By pushing it under the rug, we are only creating a bigger problem.”

Students who were unable to attend or were unaware of its existence had some positive feedback regarding the courage that the girls displayed by participating in a protest during school hours. Theo Kosokoff ’18 said that he recognizes American rape culture as both an emotional problem and a systematic one as it “hinders equality on a grand scale.”

“I found that the fact the protest was in school, a clear message was sent to the administration, which has unfortunately failed far too many girls who have been forced to walk the same hallways as their assaulter,” Kosokoff said.

Principal James D’Amico’s approval was necessary to execute this process, and, according to D’Amico, he did so without reluctance. “Their goal is to spread awareness,” D’Amico said. “I know that there are definitely students who feel like the administration or school doesn’t do anything, which is absolutely untrue, but our priority is confidentiality, so we can’t tell students what we’re doing all the time, even when we want to. What we can do is let students know what their resources are.”

Following the protest, the girls came to D’Amico disappointed about what they called the low participant turn-out at the walk. D’Amico said the students felt that others may have perceived their messages as one motivated by “anger” and “negativity” rather than of advocacy. D’Amico recalled that the confusion over their purpose occurred as a result of a proposal to write either the initials of their attacker or the word “no” on their forearm.

Kelly Shamas, health teacher, attended the walk on Friday afternoon and additionally led a panel a couple of years ago regarding sexual violence. She decided to join the seven girls in progressing this nationwide movement within the Staples community. “I think if [students] are passionate about something, and they can do it in a respectful, meaningful way, then they should absolutely do it,” Shamas said.

With the intent of promoting their message and encouraging students to speak out, two more events have been held in the month of December.

First a panel on Dec. 12 was held during all three lunch waves, which included Shamas; Gr. 12 Assistant Principal and Title IX Compliance Officer Richard Franzis; Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner at Yale New Haven Hospital Mary Ann Franzis; prevention educator from the Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education Rosie Enyart; Westport Police Detective Serenity Dobson; and English teacher Sam Goldberg.

Additionally, an “awareness assembly” was held during Communication Time on Dec. 15 in which all members modeled the color teal, as the teal ribbon universally represents sexual violence prevention. Both events received D’Amico’s approval.

“For me, the worst possible outcome is that somebody feels hurt by that conversation happening, or it brings up some emotion that they’re not prepared to deal with,” D’Amico said. “We’re going to encourage as many students as possible, and I’m going to help them do that during a Communication Time, to gather […] in support of raising awareness.”

A Westport therapist who asked to remain anonymous finds the matter of sexual assault to be “sickening” and finds hosting the events to be courageous.

“When I see some passion being displayed by anybody in the student body, especially within the student body, I am very much in favor of it,” the therapist said. “I think it’s a problem that’s far more reaching than people want to admit.”