Rape. It is a word that raises plenty of controversy any time it is mentioned.
However, it is an issue that must be addressed—especially on college campuses. The punishment for those who commit acts of sexual violence at universities has been in a grey area for some time now, while the treatment of the victims is often dismissive and unsympathetic.
This has prompted many young activists to protest and exercise Title IX, the gender equity law that requires schools to respond and prevent sexual violence.In a speech, President Obama stated that an estimated one in five women is a victim of sexual assault during their college years. He declared sexual violence to be a threat to families, communities and the entire country. It was even called an epidemic by Senator Kristen Gillibrand of New York.
Last September, Emma Sulkowicz, a studio art major at Columbia, carried a mattress around campus as her senior thesis and a message to the university that she will not put it down until her rapist leaves the school. Ultimately, the accused was found “not responsible” by university inquiry and the police declined to further investigate the situation. In addition to publicized incidents, there are a ton of stories that often go unreported or unheard. Situations like these have generated discussion surrounding college rape culture and how universities are handling cases behind closed doors.
A documentary called The Hunting Ground that premiered last January shed light on campus rape and the institutions that are supposed to be protecting its students. In the film, the director and advocates spark a debate that criticizes politicians, fraternities and campuses for covering up sexual assault cases. University administrators have been accused of protecting the school’s reputation more than its students. Within the last few years, almost 100 universities have been under investigation for mishandling sexual assault investigations.
How can individuals in universities step up and help tighten the policies? How can further botched investigations be prevented? Last year, the White House launched a campaign called “It’s On Us,” which strongly encourages campus officials and leaders to openly talk about sexual assault to the administration and the student body. Topics include victim blaming and how to help someone who’s been raped. Some schools have even required that students and faculty take courses on sexual assault prevention.
With all the stress already going on at college, students shouldn’t have to feel like they are in an unsafe environment or submerged in an atmosphere where their voices are stifled.
Feature Photo via Nomore.org