'The Hunting Ground' Sheds Light on Sexual Assault on College Campuses

EAST HAMPTON, NY - East Hampton is set to shatter the silence on the issue of sexual assault on college campuses.

A screening of the "The Hunting Ground", followed by a panel discussion, will be held on Monday, April 18, from 6;30 p.m .to 8:30 p.m. at the the East Hampton Library, in the Baldwin Family Lecture Room.

The event is sponsored by the The Town of East Hampton's department of human services and the East Hampton Library in conjunction with The Retreat, Family Service League, East Hampton High School, iTri and the East Hampton Town Police Department.

The film shown will be the 45-minute, high school edition of "The Hunting Ground".

The screening will be followed by a discussion led by a panel of professionals from The Retreat, Family Service League and the East Hampton Town Police Department.

"The Hunting Ground," according to a release sent out by the town, is a critically acclaimed documentary that shines a light on sexual assault on college campuses.

“Sexual assault is a national issue that seriously threatens our young people’s safety and well-being,” said East Hampton Town Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “Through the viewing of this film, our community will gain a clearer understanding of sexual assault, its impact on our young people and how we can empower them to stay safe and make smart choices.”

The film features interviews with students, parents, faculty, police, and administrators as well as a rock ballad by Lady Gaga entitled “Till It Happens to You”.

The statistics are startling: The film notes that in college, one in five women are sexually assaulted. Most often, the assualt happens in the freshman or sophomore year. In addition, five percent of college men say they are survivors of sexual assault.

"While this topic may make us uncomfortable, the alternative can be devastating," the release reads. "Given that the Class of 2016 will be headed off to college in a few short months, it is our desire to help our young people gain a clearer understanding of this very sensitive issue. Screening 'The Hunting Ground' will give us an opportunity to begin a meaningful and substantive conversation with our sons and daughters."

Topics to be discussed include:

• Recognizing and understanding the prevalence of sexual assault in teenage communities and on college campuses

• Recognizing the importance of consent

• Understanding the relationship between alcohol/drug use and sexual assault

• Understanding how to take preventative measures to stay safe

• Inspiring bystander intervention should a student witness a potential sexual assault

The film and subsequent discussion is geared toward high school students 15 years and older, parents of high school students, parents of middle school students, and educators.

East Hampton High School students that attend the screening will receive two hours community service.

The panel discussion will follow the screening and will be led by:

• Cristina Banados, Director of Legal Advocacy, The Retreat

• Lisa Longnecker, Clinical Director, The Retreat

• Natalie Meisinger, LLMHC, Family Service League

• Police Officer Ken Alversa, East Hampton Town Police Department

• Howard Treadwell-Smith, Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative, The Retreat

For additional information, community members should contact the East Hampton Department of Human Services at (631) 329.6939.

To register for the event, contact the East Hampton Library at (631) 324.0222 Ext. 3.

Important Resources:

East Hampton Town Police – 131 Wainscott Northwest Road, Wainscott • (631) 537.7575

The Retreat – 13 Goodfriend Drive, East Hampton • (631) 329.4398; 24-hour hotline (631) 329.2200

Family Service League – 316 Accabonac Road, East Hampton • (631) 324.3344