Josie Carter, founder of Sexual Assault Survivor Support.
Photo provided by Josie Carter.

The Miami University student organization Sexual Assault Survivor Support (SASS) recently received a $5,000 grant through the Bumble Student Organization Fund Contest to fund the expansion of support services for survivors of sexual assault on campus.

SASS was founded in February 2020 to empower, heal, and support victims/survivors of sexual assault and personal violence. It is one of 10 student organizations across the country chosen for the award. SASS entered the contest through social media to explain how their organization embodies the values of kindness, respect, equality, inclusivity, courage, accountability, and growth and what they would do with the funding.

Bumble is a social app that helps people connect to date, be friends, or network.

SASS was founded in February 2020 by Josie Carter, a sophomore pursuing a degree in Social Justice and a minor in Human Capital Management and Leadership. Carter was inspired to start the organization on a trip to San Francisco for an entrepreneurship program. She wanted to build a community for survivors of sexual violence on Miami’s campus. Since founding the organization, she has worked tirelessly to build SASS into a student-driven resource offering support for survivors while also making an impact on the prevention of such incidents from happening in the first place.

When Dear Miami University launched on Instagram in June, SASS experienced a surge in awareness and interest. Over the span of several weeks, students shared their experiences of discrimination at Miami, including experiences of sexual and interpersonal violence. With interest in support for survivors growing, Carter worked closely with Lauren Doepke, a junior Environmental Earth Science major and Sustainability Co-Major, to register SASS as a recognized organization with Miami. 

By the start of the Fall 2020 semester, SASS was officially recognized.

SASS now has over 70 members registered on the Hub. Students interested in SASS can decide their own level of engagement; they are also able to join confidentially if they do not wish to have their name included on the Hub. 

This spring, SASS plans to build connections with survivors on campus by collaborating with multicultural organizations. They want to create an environment where survivors of all identities feel supported. Students can learn more about how to get involved on the SASS website.