Women's Resource Center FAQs
Why do we need a Women's Resource Center at GCSU?
- Women are 61% of students at GCSU (GCSU Institutional Research, 2007).
- 51% of GCSU faculty are women (GCSU Institutional Research, 2007).
- 41.9% of women faculty are tenured (GCSU Institutional Research, 2005).
- Conservative estimates indicate that after puberty, 5% to 10% of girls and women (which is roughly 5-10 million girls and women) struggle with eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or borderline conditions (Crowther et al., 1992; Fiarburn et al., 1993; Gordon, 1990; Hoek, 1995; Shisslak et al., 1995).
- 80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance (Smolak, 1996).
- Conservative estimates of sexual assault prevalence suggest that 25% of American women have been victims of sexual assault (Abbey, Zawecki, Buck, Clinton, and McAuslan, 2001).
- For completed and attempted rapes, nearly 90% of the victims knew the offender, who was usually a classmate, friend, ex-boyfriend or acquaintance ("The Sexual Victimization of College Women," National Institute of Justice and Bureau of Justice Statistics, January 26, 2001).
- 16 out of 100 U.S. Senators are women (www.senate.gov), (2008).
- 78 out of 435 (15.6%) U.S. Representatives are women (www.house.gov), (2008).
- Only 7 out of 50 governors are women (www.statelawyers.com/governors), (2008).
- Only 1 woman has been nominated as a Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate by a major political party (www.whitehouse.gov).
- Nationally, women make 77 cents of every dollar a man makes. African American women make 71.7 cents of every dollar, Latina women make 58.5 cents of every dollar and Asian American women make 87.2 cents (www.pay-equity.org).
- Women account for less than 5% of top executives in Fortune 500 businesses (Forbes, 2003).
- In 2001, women held 12.4% of total board seats on Fortune 500 companies up from 8.3% in 1993 (Catalyst, 2001).
- Women spend about 27 hours per week doing housework; men spend about 16 hours (University of Michigan Institute of Social Research, 2002).
What are the benefits of the Women's Resource Center for me?
The Women's Resource Center is a place where all women and men on campus and in the community are invited to expand their knowledge about various women's issues. The WRC provides a place to study, a place for breastfeeding mothers to nurse or express milk, a resource library, and various programs and events throughout the year. The WRC can serve as an advocate as well as provide non-biased information on a variety of subjects including reproductive options.
Why not a Men's Center?
Very few schools offer a men's center because it is generally accepted that men already have full access to educational and employment opportunities. The WRC at GCSU welcomes male involvement and acknowledges that men play a crucial role in the work of the women's center and in women's fight for equality.
Do I have to be a student to use the Women's Resource Center?
No! Everyone is welcome at the Women's Resource Center - Students, Faculty, Staff, Community Members, Men and Women.
GCSU Non-Discrimination Policy: Our prevention work serves to ensure that agents of the university do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other irrelevant non-bona fide qualification in the administration of educational and employment programs, or any other activity administered by the university.
What is the difference between the Women's Resource Center and the Women's Studies Program?
The Women's Resource Center and the Women's Studies Program have different, but complimentary missions. Women's Studies is an academic program of study offering a minor. The Women's Resource Center offers support and resources for students, faculty and staff. Both the Women's Studies Program and the Women's Resource Center seek to promote awareness and provide educational opportunities regarding women's issues. For more information about Women's Studies contact the Interim Coordinator Beauty Bragg at beauty.bragg@gcsu.edu or (478) 445-5561.
How can I get involved at the Women's Resource Center?
For information on how to get involved at the Women's Resource Center, please visit our Volunteer page!
What is intimate partner violence?
A pattern of physical, sexual, economic, and/or psychological abuse or the threat of abuse used to get and maintain control over another person. For more information on intimate partner violence please visit this site.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault can be defined as any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient of the unwanted sexual activity. Falling under the definition of sexual assault is sexual activity such as forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape. For more information on sexual assault please visit this site.
What is stalking?
Stalking is defined as the willful and repeated following, watching, and/or harassing of another person. This may include either physical stalking or cyberstalking. Physical stalking may consist of following someone, appearing at a person's home or work, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages, or vandalizing one's property. Cyberstalking involves using the Internet or other electronic means as a way to harass someone. For more information on stalking, please visit this site.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Conduct is unwelcome if the person did not request or invite it and "regarded the conduct as undesirable and offensive." For more information on sexual harassment, please visit this site.
