Assault On Campus
Although sexual assault can happen to both men and women, most assaults are carried out onto women by men, who are usually bigger, and stronger than women. On college campuses the risk of rape and assault aimed towards women is extreme. Currently, universities are the focus of national attention where the issue of sexual assault is broadcasted through student activism, resources, and demands for legal action. While people have differing ideas on how to handle the situation, such as educating men, teaching women how to avoid dangerous situations, and self defense. Self defense should be a significant resource campuses provide women due to the prevalence of assault on campus, it is a tool that not only reduces the risk of sexual assault, it
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also improves a woman’s confidence, and lastly it is more superior than other strategies.
Self defense describes resistance in both verbal and physical means, which a person utilizes in order to remain physically and psychologically healthy and safe. For example, most people would recognize a strong palm strike to the nose as self defense. However self defense can also include behaviors such as “a strong, squared-off body stance with eye contact and hands raised up to create distance and protect one’s body”, as well a firm and confident ‘No!”. .
Because of the prevalence of on campus sexual assault, universities ought to emphasize the importance of self defense for female students. Today a woman has a 1 in 5 chance of being a victim of assault, and even more disturbingly a college woman is 4 times more likely to be sexually assaulted . (Perez-Pena) Most sexual assaults against college women occur her freshman or sophomore year (Not Alone). And while not every woman encounters sexual violence, most women encounter objectification and rape culture on a daily basis. According to “HollaBack!” an organization committed to ending street harassment 70-99% of women are victims of street harassment (Hollaback!). Street harassment is usually more frustrating than life threatening. However the reality is that a simple “Hey baby!” can escalate into a dangerous situation. For example, in 2014
a fourteen-year-old girl was ran over multiple times after rejecting her attacker’s offer for sex ( Chemaly, Soraya ). Rape culture is significant and harmful on college campuses for example, the Sigma Nu chapter at Old Dominion University hung signs that said "Rowdy And Fun! Hope your baby girl is ready for a good time," "Freshman daughter drop off" and "Go ahead and drop off mom too,” ( Samuels, Alexandria) This incident is just one example of the objectification and rape culture women experience on college campuses. And although incidents like these are not life threating they do negatively impact a woman’s life, and education. According to “Hollaback!” twenty percent of students reported that harassment caused an inability to concentrate in class, and twenty-three percent claimed that harassment prevented attendance in class. Campus harassment can result in a student questioning what they wear; what route they take to class; at what time of the day they go out; or if they should go to class, participate in extracurricular, or go out at all (Hollaback!). Because of the prevalence of rape culture, it is the duty of college campuses and universities to ensure a feeling of safety and security for every student; self defense would greatly improve the feeling of safety on campus.
On the other hand, universities have provided resources to decrease and prevent sexual assault. They have student resources for victims such as counselling, They have clearly defined sexual assault and consent, campus policy and law, along with other forms of awareness. For instance, the Blue Light System on most college campus provide students with ample opportunity to contact campus police. In 2014 it was decided that colleges and universities that receive federal funds must provide sexual assault education to all students due to the “Not Alone” mandate by the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault, it strengthens federal enforcement efforts and provides schools with additional tools to combat sexual assault on their campuses. This mandate describes its goals as “ 1. Identify the scope of the problem on college campuses; 2. Help prevent campus sexual assault; 3. Help schools respond effectively when a student is assaulted; and 4. Improve, and make more transparent, the federal government’s enforcement efforts.” (Not Alone)
While colleges and Universities are vastly improving campus safety and victim resources, most do not encourage self defense For example the “not Alone” mandate fails to include self defense resources. While violence is not the answer to most situations, and it should be viewed as a tool among multiple tools such as the police lights and education to conquer sexual assault, self defense is a valuable tool that can protect women if they are put in a situation where that tool is needed. (Thys, Fred)
Self defense empowers women, even those who are not put in situations where they need to use their skills.
Learning self defense allows women to be independent. Women and girls are taught how to avoid assault, but not how to confront it. Women , are often warned to avoid alcohol, and if they do have a drink they must , to closely monitor their beverages, and to be aware that men might seek to intoxicate them in order to gain sexual access to them. Women are also told to dress modestly, avoid certain places at certain times, don’t go alone, and to modify social norms. Not only is the completely inconvenient it encourages the mindset that women are easily overpowered, weak, and should not have all the freedom’s a man has. However, statistics show that these tactics are not reliable. Immediately after taking a self-defense class, women stated they felt decreased levels of fear and greater confidence in their ability to defend themselves These feelings were reported by previous victims of sexual assault and women who had never experienced violence (Hollander, J. A.).
In 2014 Nia Sanchez, who was later became Miss USA, was asked a question concerning sexual assault on campuses; Sanchez who is is a black belt in taekwondo was heavily criticized after encouraging women to obtain self defense knowledge.. It was argued that Sanchez was implying it is a woman's fault if she could not defend herself, and that our society should not focus on making women responsible for their safety. As …show more content…
one feminist blogger put it.” it further reinforces the idea that victims are to blame for what happens to them — she wouldn’t have been raped if she’d
known kendo, if she’s been studying karate she could have thrown off her attacker. This is a fundamentally wrong approach” (Smith, S. E.)
In every assault situation, it should be emphasized that it is never the victim’s fault. The blame should always be placed on the perpetrator, who chose to objectify the woman, who is a person with unique beliefs, an encouraging women to learn self defense is not implying that assault is the victim’s fault. Most will not argue that women should not need to defend themselves. However, the world is not perfect, and people who commit rape in the first place are not reasonable, therefore attempting to explain why rape is wrong will not work. Self defense allows women to control the situation, rather than her attacker. Self defense breaks the stereotype that women are vulnerable targets.
Perhaps the most imperative reason that women should have access to self defense classes is because it is clear that resistance reduces the risk of sexual assault for women.
According to J. A. Hollander. who specializes in women’s’ self defense, fewer than 25% of rape attempts are completed because in most of the attempted attacks the victim escapes or fends off the attacker. This proves that physical resistance prevented assault. The reporting different types of unwanted sexual contact over a one-year period. A significantly lower percentage of those who received self-defense training reported incidents of any kind (Hollander, J.
A).
In a perfect world, there would be no motive for women to learn self defense, they could go anywhere, meet anyone and be perfectly safe. However the word is not perfect, women are assaulted each day. And while it is never their fault, woman can become empowered by the ability to protect themselves, and avoid sexual assault .L earning self defense allows women to have control over their attacker, and to prove to the world women are not weak, they are strong and capable, just as they are intelligent, innovative, creative, funny and beautiful. Until we live in a world where women can stroll alone at night, not have to worry about putting her beverage down, and being able to trust anyone, self defense is the best option, so women can at least trust in themselves
also improves a woman’s confidence, and lastly it is more superior than other strategies.
Self defense describes resistance in both verbal and physical means, which a person utilizes in order to remain physically and psychologically healthy and safe. For example, most people would recognize a strong palm strike to the nose as self defense. However self defense can also include behaviors such as “a strong, squared-off body stance with eye contact and hands raised up to create distance and protect one’s body”, as well a firm and confident ‘No!”. .
Because of the prevalence of on campus sexual assault, universities ought to emphasize the importance of self defense for female students. Today a woman has a 1 in 5 chance of being a victim of assault, and even more disturbingly a college woman is 4 times more likely to be sexually assaulted . (Perez-Pena) Most sexual assaults against college women occur her freshman or sophomore year (Not Alone). And while not every woman encounters sexual violence, most women encounter objectification and rape culture on a daily basis. According to “HollaBack!” an organization committed to ending street harassment 70-99% of women are victims of street harassment (Hollaback!). Street harassment is usually more frustrating than life threatening. However the reality is that a simple “Hey baby!” can escalate into a dangerous situation. For example, in 2014
a fourteen-year-old girl was ran over multiple times after rejecting her attacker’s offer for sex ( Chemaly, Soraya ). Rape culture is significant and harmful on college campuses for example, the Sigma Nu chapter at Old Dominion University hung signs that said "Rowdy And Fun! Hope your baby girl is ready for a good time," "Freshman daughter drop off" and "Go ahead and drop off mom too,” ( Samuels, Alexandria) This incident is just one example of the objectification and rape culture women experience on college campuses. And although incidents like these are not life threating they do negatively impact a woman’s life, and education. According to “Hollaback!” twenty percent of students reported that harassment caused an inability to concentrate in class, and twenty-three percent claimed that harassment prevented attendance in class. Campus harassment can result in a student questioning what they wear; what route they take to class; at what time of the day they go out; or if they should go to class, participate in extracurricular, or go out at all (Hollaback!). Because of the prevalence of rape culture, it is the duty of college campuses and universities to ensure a feeling of safety and security for every student; self defense would greatly improve the feeling of safety on campus.
On the other hand, universities have provided resources to decrease and prevent sexual assault. They have student resources for victims such as counselling, They have clearly defined sexual assault and consent, campus policy and law, along with other forms of awareness. For instance, the Blue Light System on most college campus provide students with ample opportunity to contact campus police. In 2014 it was decided that colleges and universities that receive federal funds must provide sexual assault education to all students due to the “Not Alone” mandate by the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault, it strengthens federal enforcement efforts and provides schools with additional tools to combat sexual assault on their campuses. This mandate describes its goals as “ 1. Identify the scope of the problem on college campuses; 2. Help prevent campus sexual assault; 3. Help schools respond effectively when a student is assaulted; and 4. Improve, and make more transparent, the federal government’s enforcement efforts.” (Not Alone)
While colleges and Universities are vastly improving campus safety and victim resources, most do not encourage self defense For example the “not Alone” mandate fails to include self defense resources. While violence is not the answer to most situations, and it should be viewed as a tool among multiple tools such as the police lights and education to conquer sexual assault, self defense is a valuable tool that can protect women if they are put in a situation where that tool is needed. (Thys, Fred)
Self defense empowers women, even those who are not put in situations where they need to use their skills.
Learning self defense allows women to be independent. Women and girls are taught how to avoid assault, but not how to confront it. Women , are often warned to avoid alcohol, and if they do have a drink they must , to closely monitor their beverages, and to be aware that men might seek to intoxicate them in order to gain sexual access to them. Women are also told to dress modestly, avoid certain places at certain times, don’t go alone, and to modify social norms. Not only is the completely inconvenient it encourages the mindset that women are easily overpowered, weak, and should not have all the freedom’s a man has. However, statistics show that these tactics are not reliable. Immediately after taking a self-defense class, women stated they felt decreased levels of fear and greater confidence in their ability to defend themselves These feelings were reported by previous victims of sexual assault and women who had never experienced violence (Hollander, J. A.).
In 2014 Nia Sanchez, who was later became Miss USA, was asked a question concerning sexual assault on campuses; Sanchez who is is a black belt in taekwondo was heavily criticized after encouraging women to obtain self defense knowledge.. It was argued that Sanchez was implying it is a woman's fault if she could not defend herself, and that our society should not focus on making women responsible for their safety. As …show more content…
one feminist blogger put it.” it further reinforces the idea that victims are to blame for what happens to them — she wouldn’t have been raped if she’d
known kendo, if she’s been studying karate she could have thrown off her attacker. This is a fundamentally wrong approach” (Smith, S. E.)
In every assault situation, it should be emphasized that it is never the victim’s fault. The blame should always be placed on the perpetrator, who chose to objectify the woman, who is a person with unique beliefs, an encouraging women to learn self defense is not implying that assault is the victim’s fault. Most will not argue that women should not need to defend themselves. However, the world is not perfect, and people who commit rape in the first place are not reasonable, therefore attempting to explain why rape is wrong will not work. Self defense allows women to control the situation, rather than her attacker. Self defense breaks the stereotype that women are vulnerable targets.
Perhaps the most imperative reason that women should have access to self defense classes is because it is clear that resistance reduces the risk of sexual assault for women.
According to J. A. Hollander. who specializes in women’s’ self defense, fewer than 25% of rape attempts are completed because in most of the attempted attacks the victim escapes or fends off the attacker. This proves that physical resistance prevented assault. The reporting different types of unwanted sexual contact over a one-year period. A significantly lower percentage of those who received self-defense training reported incidents of any kind (Hollander, J.
A).
In a perfect world, there would be no motive for women to learn self defense, they could go anywhere, meet anyone and be perfectly safe. However the word is not perfect, women are assaulted each day. And while it is never their fault, woman can become empowered by the ability to protect themselves, and avoid sexual assault .L earning self defense allows women to have control over their attacker, and to prove to the world women are not weak, they are strong and capable, just as they are intelligent, innovative, creative, funny and beautiful. Until we live in a world where women can stroll alone at night, not have to worry about putting her beverage down, and being able to trust anyone, self defense is the best option, so women can at least trust in themselves