“I think we need to be a school with no more secrets and bring things to light,” Fr. John Savard, S.J. ‘78 emphasized. “We must walk in the light a little bit more and not be afraid of the darkness.” 

To create an atmosphere that is open to vulnerability and conducive to conversation, Fairfield U Wellness is hosting an event entitled “What If I Share My Story?” in the Oak Room. The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 26 and will function as a walk-through exhibit for community members to learn about on-campus resources to prevent sexual violence. 

The timing is strategic, as the first six to eight weeks of school are classified as “the red zone.” 

Pam Paulmann, Fairfield’s Coordinator for Health and Wellness Education, hopes to diminish the struggles faced by students who “are new to campus, new to freedom, and experimenting for the first time with many things.” This stage of exploration can coincide with unexpected, negative situations. 

The 2023 Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report cited that three incidents of “Sexual Offenses” and two incidents of “Sexual Assault: Rape” occurred on campus in 2022. The year prior, there were four documented incidents of “Sexual Assault: Rape” at Fairfield University. However, these statistics do not account for the unspoken stories of sexual violence, stories that remain clouded by the shame that prevents survivors from revealing their truth. 

Paulmann underscored the gaps within this numerical data. 

“It’s very nuanced,” she revealed. “Clery has very specific guidelines and these incidents often go unreported, so I don’t always think those are the most accurate numbers.”

The Clery Act was established in 1990, requiring all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial programs to document and relay information about on-campus crime. Fairfield University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) annually captures and releases data about unlawful activities, from liquor law violations to arson. DPS must also quantify incidents of sexual assault, reflecting a painful and pervasive reality interwoven into collegiate culture.  

Survivors may be afraid to disclose this information, as discussions about sex are often considered taboo or “off-limits.” However, Paulmann is committed to breaking barriers and opening the door to necessary dialogue. 

Paulmann’s efforts are shared by a committee initially established by a three-year federal grant. Once that grant expired, Paulmann did not want to discontinue the work aimed at eliminating sexual violence in the community. 

Her team hopes to equip students with an awareness of support structures offered at the University. By attending “What If I Share My Story?”, it is possible for students to find light in the aftermath of trauma. 

“A student can meet with any number of different people who can be a support to students who are survivors or who have been impacted in any way,” Paulmann explained. 

She continued, “The different tables include everything from the Title IX Office to the Counseling Center to peers, as how a peer reacts to a disclosure is huge in determining what the next step is for the student.”

Campus Ministry and the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality will also be present. Marcy Dolan Haley, the Associate Director of the Murphy Center, works closely with Paulmann on Fairfield’s Coordinated Community Response Team. She uses her platform to build a bridge between one’s faith and their healing journey. Her ideology is shaped by Catholic Social Teaching, which characterizes sexual harassment as a violation of human dignity. 

“From my perspective, this is a human dignity and human flourishing issue,” Haley said. “It is a violation of your ability to live in a way that is not only contributing to your good, but the common good.” 

Haley admitted that, at face value, a Jesuit and Catholic institution may seem like an unorthodox setting to promote open communication about sexual activity. Historically, the Catholic Church has faced backlash for its rigid stance against premarital sex. 

“Sexual assault carries shame, regret, anger and disappointment… all things we’re not supposed to feel as good Christians, right?” Haley considered. “No one wants to talk about that. To talk about sexual assault is to imply or infer that sex has happened, and that’s not something we’re supposed to do here on this college campus.” 

She quickly abandoned this argument, only adopting this generalized viewpoint to highlight the danger of a limited perspective that puts survivors “back into dark corners instead of coming forward.” Haley encourages individuals to push the boundaries of their beliefs and embrace solidarity. 

“We must work in communion with each other,” she emphasized. “Within the context of our community, we all have a right to work and live in a space that supports our human flourishing and is free from judgment.”

The notion of solidarity is echoed in the “Step Up Stags” program, a bystander intervention training presented to all first-year students, Resident Assistants and New Student Leaders. The program informs students about sexual misconduct and consent policies. More broadly, it stresses the importance of active engagement in the face of violence. 

“We, unfortunately, have students who may be thinking ‘What do I want out of this situation?,’” Paulmann said. “Whether it’s some sort of satisfaction or experimentation, they completely disregard the person before them and that’s really where things fall apart,”

Paulmann reinforced the value of unity, especially in our “me-centered world.” She hopes the Jesuit ideals will serve as an undercurrent to motivate students to uplift one another. 

Savard is optimistic about the continued development of a culture of respect and accountability. As the Interim Director of Campus Ministry, Savard is a member of Fairfield’s CARE Team. In this role, he joins a working group tasked with identifying and communicating with students of concern. 

“As we get to know students, hopefully, we can be seen as approachable and ready to greet students who find themselves in a situation of sexual harassment, even if it is the harasser who comes to make amends,” Savard explained.

In his day-to-day encounters, he remains cognizant of the shifting campus culture that can both prevent and perpetuate immoral behavior. 

“There is always work to be done,” Savard declared. “We’re always bringing in a new class and we need to remember that when one person is violated or diminished, all of us are.” 

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence, please call (203) 254-4357 for guidance or to file a report. For additional resources, visit Fairfield University’s website for survivors.