Next year, many high school seniors will have the opportunity to bring their unique interests, skills, and values to college. They will also have the opportunity to bring excellent character.
Eighty six colleges are currently being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for their handling of sexual assault cases. Whether these schools are mishandling the cases or not, one thing is certain: the average college student can make a difference when it comes to sexual assault.
It only takes one party-goer to report something that isn’t right to the police. It only takes one fraternity brother to make it clear that sexual assault will not be tolerated by the frat. It only takes one friend to listen and take someone’s story seriously.
I encourage Spartans to be that one and I am confident that they will be.
The University of Virginia, along with 11 other schools, is under a more intensive investigation by the Department of Education, known as a “compliance review.” I would advise anyone who has not read the Rolling Stone article “A Rape on Campus: A Brutal Assault and Struggle for Justice at UVA” to do so. The article is currently being questioned because of several discrepancies in the story. Rolling Stones issued a statement, apologizing for not interviewing both sides of the story.
Therefore, it is important to read not only the article, but also other stories that point out the flaws in reporting and represent the other side of the issue. My favorite was an article which sarcastically asserted that because there are discrepancies in Jackie’s stories, there are no sexual assault problems at UVA. The article reminds readers that there are viable issues pointed out in the Rolling Stone article whether the reporting is flawed or not, and whether the story is true or not.
For progress to be made at colleges all over the nation, the first thing that needs to be changed is the on-campus attitudes towards sexual assault. A victim is a victim, simple as that. Victims should feel safe to report sexual assault without facing criticism from other students and without worrying about reputation or social status.
Anyone can say that it is wrong to assault someone. It takes something more to actually take action and stop sexual assault: character.
All students need to be prepared to be proactive and report sexual assaults of any kind, no matter who is taking part in it and no matter what the circumstances are. It doesn’t take clubs or marches to stop sexual assault; it just takes small actions. Small actions can lead to big changes.
So for the seniors heading to college next August, I have just one message: be the one who did something about it.