Listen to Prisma Ruacho from the Multicultural Student Center reflect on how continued learning around sexual violence has inspired her work.

Trancript:

Hello, my name is Prisma Ruacho, I use she, her, hers pronouns and I work at the Multicultural Student Center. Since beginning my work at UW-Madison, the UHS Survivor Services area has been integral to my continued learning about campus sexual violence and our role in preventing harm to occur.

I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with the students, organizations, and staff members all across campus that create and contribute to the Sexual Assault Awareness Month educational events and initiatives. I am inspired by their passion, resilience, and strength to be un-relentless advocates.

I want to talk about the importance of inter-reflection and learning that I’ve gone through since being at UW-Madison. Through two books, I’ve been able to set time aside to think about the work that I do, the people I work with, and the students I work for.

I think this reflection and self education is crucial to understanding the way I navigate the world, my sphere of influence within my work, and what more can be done to prevent campus sexual violence. Not only is coalition building integral but it starts from within and I’m grateful to have started that work with the resources provided by University Health Services. As I spent time in book club with campus partners, I was grateful for the intentional connection and time to discuss my own understanding of campus sexual assault. Not only was this important for me to think programmatically and structurally but also to think about the perspective of a survivor and how to ensure every student feels welcome and safe within the MSC spaces and our people.