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Campus Views: Raising awareness about sexual assault

by Grace Kurtz
| April 21, 2015 10:00 PM

Twenty people per minute are victims of sexual violence. One in three women and one in five men experience sexual violence during their lifetime. Up to 20 percent of college students will be sexually assaulted on campus.

Defined as “any involuntary sexual act in which a person is coerced or physically forced to engage against their will, or any non-consensual sexual touching of a person,” sexual assault is an issue that we need to talk about.

With April marking Sexual Assault awareness month, it has become the mission of organizations such as NoMore, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Soroptimist Whitefish and the Abbie Shelter to raise awareness around the devastating effects of sexual violence. The important work also provides support for victims and creates infrastructure that works to lessen our culture of sexual violence.

Described as a “public health problem” by the Center for Disease Control, it is being noticed with efforts that include shifting social norms and arming bystanders with tools to intervene.

According to Diane Yaris of Whitefish Soroptimist, “Both social movements and concrete laws are necessary to hold people accountable and provide support for victims.”

Yaris believes that as a community we have a responsibility to “break the myths surrounding sexual exploitation.”

One of the most prevalent myths held being that just because you can’t see sexual assault, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

College campuses have also become the focus of such efforts. Creating a safe campus starts with the students before the first day of school. Colleges have been the focus of effort to change thinking and educate students. Thinking about going to college can feel exciting and scary, but the real danger reflected in the statistics should be unacceptable.

As Vice President Joe Biden stated, “If you knew your [child] had a 20 percent chance of being held up at gunpoint, you’d think twice before dropping your kid off.”

Ideally, college choices would not be influenced by the numbers of sexual assaults on campuses. Victims of violence would not be blamed for assaults, and individuals would not fear violent repercussions for speaking out. Changing how we think about issues of sexual assault is the first step to change.

This issue affects the core of all communities and deserves our honor, respect, time and attention. Donate your time or other resources to support charities. Listen to the stories within our community showing care and affirmation to survivors. Support legislation that creates justice for victims of sexual assault. Talk about it. Get involved.

— Grace Kurtz is a senior at Whitefish High School