By Evan Filandrianos, Currier Times Staff///

Rachael Cina is Curry’s Sexual Violence Prevention Educator in Human Resources, and her initiatives are used to prevent sexual violence on Curry’s campus.

This serious topic is something she is eager to share with students. In an interview with The Currier Times, Cina mentions that violence prevention has a lot to do with understanding what we culturally have been to believe regarding sex and relationships. For her, due to this, we can talk of TV shows, news stories, and pop culture, and that it can be fun.

Rachael knows a lot regarding preventing sexual and domestic violence, and this, combined with the fact that students know what being a young adult in 2024 is like, allows her to combine that knowledge, and she and the students can learn from one another. 

“You don’t need to go through this alone!” says Rachael. “There are options for you, and you won’t be judged or pressured into reporting if you don’t want to. Sometimes just telling someone what happened can help to start the healing process.”

This is one of the most important messages that Rachael aims to get across.

Rachael recently met with the women’s Ice Hockey Team, and during the meeting she shared her knowledge with student-athletes.

Rachael told them that she is a “Confidential Resource Provider.” Very few things could be said that would need her to break her confidentiality.

As the Curry Sexual Violence Prevention Educator, Cina acknowledged what federal laws the school must follow and what she hopes to also educate; she mentioned that all federal and state laws related to education, equity, and sexual violence are what must be followed.

She used the example of reporting on the number of incidences on campus, having a confidential resource, and giving students pathways to resolution.

Rick Sommer was also present at the meeting. As the Director of Equity Compliance and the Title IX coordinator in Human Resources, he summarized his role at Curry and elaborated on his work in sexual violence prevention.

He enforces the equity law and equal access to programs and education. He also holds people accountable, and if there’s any form of discrimination, he must know about it. He also noted that anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can report an incident.

At the end of the meeting, Rachael shared something that students may not be familiar with.

“Students don’t know, but should (that) they can report anything they want, and they can stop the process at anytime,” said Cina.

Rachael does not really have a typical day concerning her work. Often, she writes presentations, reads research that relates to sexual violence or domestic violence or creates games or activities to use with the students.

Rachael has spent lots of time coordinating or delivering classroom presentations, staff training on these topics, or NCAA training. Rachael also plans events like in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Additionally, she meets with students confidentially to discuss the aftermath of sexual violence or abuse in a relationship.

Participating in sexual violence prevention is the main part of what Rachael does, but she also loves collaborating with different offices on our Curry campus to bring events and encourage a happy and healthy Curry community.

Several students shared their thoughts on Rachael Cina being the Sexual Violence Prevention Educator, and all the students that gave their input had positive things to say.

Victoria Mier, a Junior majoring in Community Education, said, “I think she’s great. She was very transparent and is always open to any questions.”

Connor Worthing, a sophomore majoring in Sports Management said, “After a presentation last year I asked her a few questions. She seemed extremely approachable!”

After hearing a short summary of Rachael and her work, a couple of first-year students then gave their input of her.

“I think that it is important to be able to have the trust and support on campus, so having someone take it so seriously and be able to have convo’s is nice,” Owen Hemenway said.

Owen is a first-year student majoring in Psychology/Social Work.

“I think it’s smart for her to talk to all of the different sports teams,” Anna Dickinson said.

Anna is a first-year student majoring in Communication. Anna then went on to say that it’s good for the student population to have this resource on campus.

Rachael can be located in her office in the Counseling Center on the third floor at 1016 Brush Hill Rd, and she can be reached by phone at 617-333-2965 or by email at Rachael.Cina@Curry.edu. In addition to these, you just might see her in one of your own classes soon.