Thursday, March 26, 2015

Rape on College Campuses: A University or Public Concern?



Rape on college campuses has been a rising issue for many years, and as a result colleges are starting to implement programs to educate their students on sexual conduct. BCC actually did something similar to this last semester where all student where required to complete educational online program that taught us about sexual conduct, when it’s okay to engage in it, when it’s not etc. Not too long ago I read a story from Rolling Story about an incident that occurred on the University of Virginia. In September of 2012, a UVA student who came to be known as “Jackie” entered college, eager to make new friends. She ended up being invited to Frat party by a Boy she happened to be attracted to. Once at the party, the Boy convinced her to come to his room, for the typical college “hook up”. However, not long after being in the dark room, she learned that they weren’t the only two in the room. In fact there were seven others, who wasted no time in committing this unimaginable act. It’s not something that should be gone into detail about, but she will certainly never be the same. As someone who would never even think about laying a violent hand on a woman, I was appalled by what happened here. Even worse, “Jackie” was pressured to not come out about the event by her peers, and worse yet, the school administration. Who both said that this story would ruin the School’s prestigious reputation. So not only does this poor girl have to live with the fact that this happened to her, but she can’t even tell anyone about it without being socially persecuted for doing so. Things like this are happening everywhere, in fact Bridgewater State University was involved in a scandal involving two rapes that occurred last September. Administration failed to notify students and faculty of those rapes, and they underwent considerable backlash. It is clear that these universities do not want that there reputation tarnished. But that’s not right, no one should be told to keep silent about rape, and students and faculty certainly deserve to know when they occur. It’s for everyone’s safety, and it’s sickening that this happens. If you are a victim or you know someone who is a victim, speak out, let justice be served. Don’t just stand there and do nothing, be the voice for the people who don’t have one.

Read the articles for yourself below:
 
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-what-went-wrong-20150405?page=3

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/10/01/bridgewater-state-univ-fails-notify-students-alleged-rapes/NLO2NNfYdWU31VdjALoVcI/story.html

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