"The people that I've worked with at the WRC have bent over backwards to help me serve the UWM community. The WRC has provided assistance to sexual assault victims so I can conduct an effective investigation while helping to begin and promote the healing process for that person."

As a husband and father of two young daughters, UWM Police Detective Marty Cavan is an unwavering advocate for sexual assault victims. Marty first approached the WRC as a new UWM Police Officer investigating a sexual assault and has worked cooperatively with the WRC every since. In spring 2004 he was involved in applying for a grant to fund a Coordinated Community Response Team, designed to assist sexual assault victims in obtaining services from a network of UWM and local community resources. Marty recently petitioned the UWM Safety and Security Committee on behalf of the UWM Chief of Police for development and recognition of a sub-committee to evaluate and improve the campus environment for women.

"I think in terms of what would I do, and how I would feel if that victim was my daughter, wife, sister, or mother? It's really important to understand that sexual assault isn't just a woman's issue."

"I think that the Women's Resource Center is essential and that every campus should have one."

Clayton Clouse, a junior studying Political Science and Speaker of the Senate for SA, is an advocate for education about the impact of eating disorders and date rape. Clayton and his wife, Rhiannon, also an SA member, are new parents of daughter, Anaiya. As a member of SA, Clayton is a strong advocate of the WRC's reaching out to men on campus. Says Clayton, "Almost every man, whether he knows it or not, knows a woman who's been raped." He urges men on campus to recognize that rape is not just a women's issue and that men can make a difference in preventing sexual assault.

'Men can stop rape: I think that it really starts there.'

To learn more from Clayton about Student Association, contact him at ceclouse@uwm.edu

"If you get up the guts to come into the WRC once, and you see how it actually is, then really this place is great."

Fine Arts major Matt Dinnocenzo has been a leader in planning Fall 2004's "An Orgasm of Expression: Sex Tangents," a student art show co-sponsored by the WRC. An officer of the Milwaukee Art Guild, he expects the show will "open some eyes and catch some attention." Matt encourages other men to overcome the reluctance to visit a women's center. Matt says that while some men may have misconceptions about the WRC, "the WRC is not a man-hating organization; that's not what this is about." He has also learned to overcome the stigma of the word "feminism," and feels that an interest in women's issues is crucial.

"Getting past the stereotypical first thing that comes to mind when the word feminist is mentioned is the difficult part, and now that I've actually had the chance to think about that? I would say that I am a feminist."

To learn more from Matt about the Milwaukee Art Guild, or his involvement with Sex Tangents, contact him at mjd3@uwm.edu.

"It's not just about women for women, it's about everybody understanding each other. [The WRC] is a place to understand differences that people have."

Courtney Gotz is the founding director of B.O.S.S. (Be On the Safe Side), which provides rides and walking escorts to get UWM students safely to their destinations. Says Courtney, "You never have to feel embarrassed or ashamed to call; just call and we'll get you where you need to go." The WRC and B.O.S.S. work together to co-sponsor self-defense seminars. Courtney stresses the WRC's service to all students. "A couple of years ago, when a student was sexual assaulted, the Women's Resource Center was a place any type of student could go to ask questions or to get information."

"You'll hear guys say, ?Oh, that's just for women, where's the men's resource center?' But it's really a center for everybody."

To learn more from Courtney about the BOSS program or future self-defense seminars, contact him at cgotz@uwm.edu.

"Acknowledging that [sexist ideas] exist in our larger society?just opens up this whole new world."

Antonio Ramirez, a senior studying secondary education and future high school teacher, is one of the leaders of Men Taking Action, a UWM men's group that strives to challenge sexist ideas and work to end rape on campus. The WRC supports the group and has provided members training opportunities. Antonio says the group gives male students who don't know what to do when a friend says she has been sexually harassed or assaulted an "outlet for compassion" and a way to respond. Antonio has also attended WRC-sponsored programs, including the lecture by feminist scholar bell hooks.

"I thought [the bell hooks lecture] was amazing. I love bell hooks . . . and it was a great mix of people."