Passionate Student, Sam Hammett, Speaks Up About Campus Gender-Based Violence Policies

“As a survivor, it’s all about you, and it should be,” said Samantha Hammett, Frostburg State University senior and active advocate for comprehensive education on sexual assault and gender-based violence.

Known as Sam to her friends, Hammett has been adamant on a campus-wide climate change in reference to gender based violence since she began school here in 2010. Fueled by her own experience as a survivor as well as the similar experiences of friends and family, Hammett quickly became involved with the BURG Peer Education Network and the President’s Advisory Council Against Gender Based Violence (PACAGBV) after her arrival at the school.

Hammett explained that, while she has been passionate about this cause since high school, she has grown to be more confident in the validity of her opinions in her five years of college. “I’ve started speaking up,” she stated. “I’ve come to realize that those in charge aren’t always the most informed, and it is important that they hear student perspectives.”

In BURG, Hammett is jokingly and affectionately referred to as “the sexpert.” Hammett believes that is just as important to educate her peers of the qualities of a good relationship – safe sex, mutual trust, and proper interactions – as informing them of the warning signs of poor relationships. “I’m always the one ready and willing to talk about anything involving relationships,” Hammett revealed.

Hammett also discussed the changing nature of PACAGBV. The group was intended to be a collaboration of experts, passionate students and staff, and relevant faculty to provide President Gibralter with advice on how to improve campus environment for victims of gender based violence and prevent further occurrences. However, it has recently become clear to the council that simple suggestions will not provide the desired effect, according to Hammett. “It’s become a working council of sorts,” Hammett said. “We have recently implemented the Step Up training now required for all freshmen. But, like most other organizations on campus, we feel restrained as to what we can actually do.”

Hammett insists that most of the blame for the current haze surrounding sexual assault on campus lies with administration. “Our administration has a problem believing our students,” she said. “They have a problem not victim blaming. They have a problem not slut-shaming, and they have a problem creating grey areas.” This lack of concrete definitions and courses of action following a report allows many assaults to fall through the cracks.

Emily Caputo, newly hired Title IX coordinator, is working to streamline the reporting and investigation process for sexual assault. “Hiring Emily Caputo was great,” Hammett said. “I’ve had a lot of in-depth conversations with her where I’ve had faith. That’s the first time I’ve felt that from someone in a position to make a difference in a long time. There are people on this campus who are trying, but those who are trying aren’t in power.” According to Hammett, Caputo is just the woman for the job. With the right mix of authority and passion, reforms to campus may be swift and comprehensive.

Aside from external police action, Hammett insists that the campus executives need to stop forcing those who report their assault to the school into judicial action. If a student does not wish to pursue legal action, but they know that the school will force it upon them if they report it, they are much less likely to report their experience and subsequently receive help.

For those seeking confidential and empathetic help with dealing with their trauma, Hammett recommends the school’s counseling center. “I have never met anyone who has left CAPS feeling that they haven’t been heard,” Hammett said.

“I want students to know that they matter. Their experiences matter. Their words matter.”