Sexual
Assault
Prevention
Ambassadors
Welcome!
Established 2018
The Sexual Assault Prevention Ambassadors (SAPA) is comprised of USM students whose mission is to promote and facilitate discussion among peers regarding the issues of sexual misconduct and to help prevent sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence. SAPA educates students about healthy relationships, consent, and USM’s policies and resources. It is people who are passionate about trying to prevent sexual violence of any kind of USM's campus and advocate for its prevention. This is an action-based advocacy group, designed to fight the norms of “rape culture” perpetuated on college campuses. We are comprised of about 80 members of a variety of genders, races, religions, sexualities, student involvement, and more all united under a common goal.
Who are we?
Meet the Founder
Hi, I'm Selma Newbill
Hi! Welcome to the website for The University of Southern Mississippi’s Sexual Assault Prevention Ambassadors. My name is Selma Newbill, and I am the Founder of this student organization. I started SAPA on my college campus during my freshman year of college after I was sexually assaulted and had no outlet or way to heal. There was no organization that advocated for sexual assault prevention on campus, but Southern Miss was ready for SAPA to exist! It just needed someone who was ready to start it. The members of this organization have made SAPA the beautiful and successful organization that it is, and I’m so fortunate to watch it grow roots that will be embedded into our campus long after I graduate.
SAPA is life-changing and healing for so many people, and we change the idea of perpetuated “rape culture” on college campuses every day. Thank you for your support of SAPA today and always.
Best New Student Organization of the Year for 2017-2018 and 2019-2020 Award Winner
Best Student Organization President of the Year for 2018-2019 Award Winner: Selma Newbill (SAPA President)
