Sexual Assault On Campuses
One in five college women say they were violated. With statistics like that it emphasis how big of a problem sexual assault is on campuses. Today Universities are attempting to minimize the prevalence of sexual assault by enacting informational catchy slogans that will distract the student body into thinking sexual assault can be stopped with that alone. The University of Virginia for example began a “Not on Our Grounds” campaign with hope that it will reduce the prevalence of sexual violence; however, due to the cultural drinking practices in University Greek organizations and arguments on whether consent was given makes a slogan seem like a futile solution to a bigger problem. Unfortunately, there are cultural drinking practices embedded
in Greek life which influences students more than a slogan. It is common knowledge that drinking is prevalent in Greek life and an increase in drinking makes sexual violence increasingly likely. Greek organizations are filled with eager students who want to go with the flow with like-minded individuals shown in Tolentino’s depiction of rush season. “They’ll fuck in costume, drunk in a way as to make everything a bit confusing, and if they stick with it they'll have Greek letters on the cake at the country club wedding seven years down the line (Tolentino).” The drunkenness leading to confusion is unhealthy sexual behavior ingrained in the system of Greek organizations which results in sexual assault being a prevalent issue ”Not on Our Grounds” cannot solve. Tolentino’s belief that cultural practices associated with Greek life can increase the risk of sexual assault is supported by a Washington Post article that reports, “Poll results suggested that women at colleges with fraternities and sororities were more likely to be assaulted (Anderson & Clement).” This poll can be applicable to UVA grounds where Greek Organizations are staples in student life.
Additionally, in sexual assault cases, there are often blurred lines of consent making them hard to prosecute. Society often disagrees on what rape is which begs the question of how we would stop such a huge conflict with one encouraging statement? This dilemma is highlighted in Tolentino's article when she tells the story of Liz Seccuro who was gang raped and denied justice by UVA administration who characterized her assault as “regrettable sex” (Tolentino). How can a slogan created by the University fix the problem when they cannot agree on a definition of consent? A Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll found, “At least 40 percent of current and recent college students said physical hints established consent for more sexual activity (Anderson & Craighill) ” It is serious to know that students believe an action such as flirting constitutes as consent for sex. A Post-Kaiser poll also provides evidence that “ Forty-six percent said it’s unclear whether sexual activity when both people have not given clear agreement is sexual assault. Forty-seven percent called that scenario sexual assault (Anderson & Clement).” Confused sentiments on sexual agreements are reasons why assault on campus is so prevalent. Confusion on consent also include victims being questioned when it comes to consent. Similar to Liz’s case, Kristina Erickson’s “no” was taken as a joke when she was raped (Anderson & Clement). It is not a surprise that lines of consent are muddled when people involved in sex do not take an individual’s consent seriously. In order to stop sexual violence on campus, society has to respect an individual’s consent rather than relying on “implied actions”. These conflicting signals make solving sexual assault a bigger problem that cannot be solved with slogans. The University of Virginia has to do more than enacting a statements in order to bring change. The slogan is competing with the Greek system and confusion on consent making it ineffective in reducing the prevalence of sexual assault.
in Greek life which influences students more than a slogan. It is common knowledge that drinking is prevalent in Greek life and an increase in drinking makes sexual violence increasingly likely. Greek organizations are filled with eager students who want to go with the flow with like-minded individuals shown in Tolentino’s depiction of rush season. “They’ll fuck in costume, drunk in a way as to make everything a bit confusing, and if they stick with it they'll have Greek letters on the cake at the country club wedding seven years down the line (Tolentino).” The drunkenness leading to confusion is unhealthy sexual behavior ingrained in the system of Greek organizations which results in sexual assault being a prevalent issue ”Not on Our Grounds” cannot solve. Tolentino’s belief that cultural practices associated with Greek life can increase the risk of sexual assault is supported by a Washington Post article that reports, “Poll results suggested that women at colleges with fraternities and sororities were more likely to be assaulted (Anderson & Clement).” This poll can be applicable to UVA grounds where Greek Organizations are staples in student life.
Additionally, in sexual assault cases, there are often blurred lines of consent making them hard to prosecute. Society often disagrees on what rape is which begs the question of how we would stop such a huge conflict with one encouraging statement? This dilemma is highlighted in Tolentino's article when she tells the story of Liz Seccuro who was gang raped and denied justice by UVA administration who characterized her assault as “regrettable sex” (Tolentino). How can a slogan created by the University fix the problem when they cannot agree on a definition of consent? A Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll found, “At least 40 percent of current and recent college students said physical hints established consent for more sexual activity (Anderson & Craighill) ” It is serious to know that students believe an action such as flirting constitutes as consent for sex. A Post-Kaiser poll also provides evidence that “ Forty-six percent said it’s unclear whether sexual activity when both people have not given clear agreement is sexual assault. Forty-seven percent called that scenario sexual assault (Anderson & Clement).” Confused sentiments on sexual agreements are reasons why assault on campus is so prevalent. Confusion on consent also include victims being questioned when it comes to consent. Similar to Liz’s case, Kristina Erickson’s “no” was taken as a joke when she was raped (Anderson & Clement). It is not a surprise that lines of consent are muddled when people involved in sex do not take an individual’s consent seriously. In order to stop sexual violence on campus, society has to respect an individual’s consent rather than relying on “implied actions”. These conflicting signals make solving sexual assault a bigger problem that cannot be solved with slogans. The University of Virginia has to do more than enacting a statements in order to bring change. The slogan is competing with the Greek system and confusion on consent making it ineffective in reducing the prevalence of sexual assault.