“No means no.”
That message, regarding unwanted sexual contact, was the topic of discussion for students and organizations Wednesday night at an event called “Sexual Assault in Communities of Color.”
The University of Wisconsin administration has had a hard time effecting policy to prevent sexual attacks, event organizers say, due in part to many victims failing to report their assailants to police. Discussions revolved around the importance of those victims reaching out and getting help.
Because of the content of the discussion, many participants did not wish to disclose their names or reveal in totality their painful stories.
Organizers of the event tried to create a “safe space” for discussion. A representative from the Multicultural Student Coalition prefaced by saying, “What’s said here stays here, but what we learn here, we take with us.”
UW Assistant Dean of Students Yolanda Garza stressed the importance of last night’s activities before introducing a panel of both male and female sexual-assault survivors and allies.
“Sexual assault is an underreported crime locally, regionally and nationally,” Garza said. She continued by telling the audience that 54 students reported sexual assault last year, of whom five were minority students.
The main idea raised sporadically throughout the night was why so few students were reporting assaults.
There are no solid answers available, but Garza and the panel offered their ideas and opinions as to why minority students neglect reporting rape and other sexual misconduct.
“Fear of judgment” was one panelist’s answer. Of the four panelists, most suggested that a sense of community and family is very powerful, making judgment by their peers and family a feared thing.
“Sexual assault is not a topic talked about in communities of color,” Garza said, adding that an atmosphere of a “safe space” like last night’s meeting is a rare occurrence.
Garza said when she first became involved in sexual-assault issues on campus seven years ago, less than 20 assaults were reported a year. While that number has increased, she said that it does not necessarily mean there are more assaults, but that victims are using campus resources and reporting the assaults.
“This is just step one,” Garza said. She added that more events are scheduled through the Multicultural Student Coalition, including a dance and possibly support groups that will meet often.
Garza also dispelled some myths around UW’s involvement in each victim’s case. One major myth, according to Garza, is that all assaults are committed on campus; many happen at parties and off campus.
Although Garza wishes more students reported their encounters, she insists it is not just to close the gap between reported assaults and projected assaults.
“I’m not concerned about numbers,” she said, “but I’m concerned about the students. I want to get them help.”
A survey called the “sexual violations survey,” done in 1995 by a UW student, claimed one out of every eight female students was sexually assaulted during her career at UW.
In addition to the Multicultural Student Coalition, other sponsors of the event were Promoting Awareness and Victim Empowerment, Men Stopping Assault, Men Making a Difference, University Health Services, the Rape Crisis Center and the offices of the UW dean of students.