Sydney Newton
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This week, the fourth sexual assault of the semester was reported on the UI campus. According to the alert, police received information from UI officials that a resident reported a sexual assault that occurred on Sept. 13 in a West Side residence hall. The survivor and the suspect were acquaintances and met on a website, the alert says.
Sexual assault and rape on college campuses is sadly still a significant issue. With the recent release of Lady Gaga’s music video about rape in college called “Till It Happens to You,” there has been more than the usual talk about this issue. Well, rightfully so. Her music video has been termed “graphic” and has a warning of being “emotionally unsettling.” With that being said, it accurately illustrates what is going on and the repercussions the victims have.
According to a study recently released by the Association of American Universities, the incidences of sexual assault and sexual misconduct among female undergraduate student respondents was 23.1 percent. Among those that were assaulted, the rates of reporting to campus officials or law enforcement were 28 percent and lower, depending on the type of assault.
The reasons survivors have for not reporting vary from not being taken seriously, to being embarrassed or ashamed, or believing nothing will be done about the incident. I truly believe these reasons for not reporting are a bigger problem in themselves. This problem starts with local law enforcement and then trickles down to university security. Let us not forget the other equally large group, the offenders. Most people who commit sexual assault do so because of a feeling of impunity.
According to The Atlantic, the majority of sexual assaults that happen on college campuses take place in the first three months of school. Basically, right now. Knowing this, colleges should make students more aware of what can happen and how you try to prevent it during times like this.
In college, you become completely independent, and you should have the right to feel total safety on a campus where you live. It is up to the college officials and students to get more people talking. Once people start this, it becomes easier for survivors to speak up and get help. It clearly is a problem when survivors don’t feel obligated to ask for help when they have done nothing wrong.
On this campus we have a nonprofit organization called the Rape Victim Advocacy Program. Its mission is to strive for a community free of sexual violence. It provides 24/7 healing support and prevention awareness campaigns. It also provides medical, academic, and community support. Its most recent attempt to spread awareness of sexual violence on campus is called “My Cup Is Not My Consent,” which is just one of the many effective prevention campaigns.
To some, completely solving this issue can seem almost impossible. It’s “inevitable.” But by getting involved, even the slightest bit, can help. Staying informed and keeping others informed can help more than you think. Being an active bystander in typical situations can save someone from going through this. We don’t want to wait until it happens to you.