After a long and divisive election season, it is important to recognize those topics which College Democrats and College Republicans can come together on in order to better campus. Sexual assault, specifically on college campuses, is all too prevalent, and it is up to all of us to prevent it, no matter our gender or political values.
It’s On Us is a national awareness campaign aimed at creating a community committed to keeping each other safe. You can take the pledge online to recognize and intervene in dangerous situations. The hope is that all students will be empowered to stop assault; it’s on us to create a society in which sexual assault is not accepted.
It is important to note that this issue is not simply a women’s issue. Speaking up and not being a bystander helps to protect both women and men from sexual assault. It’s On Us seeks to change the dialogue about assault on college campuses; it is not about teaching girls to dress more conservatively or teaching guys not to slip something in girls’ drinks. This is about all of us, working together, recognizing that this issue exists and stopping dangerous situations to keep our peers and ourselves safe.
According to the National Institute of Justice, during a college career, the rate of sexual assault against women is between 20 and 25 percent. One in five women will be sexually assaulted during their time at college, and up to 90 percent of victims know their offender. Look around at your friends, your dorm floor-mates, your student orgs, your discussions or huge lecture halls. Twenty percent of those women may become victims of assault while they are here in Madison. Just this weekend, we received yet another University of Wisconsin Police Department Sexual Assault Crime Warning. These messages cannot be taken lightly or ignored. It is up to us, as Badgers, to protect each other and stand up for what we know is right.
The Obama Administration has been a strong advocate for sexual assault prevention through the It’s On Us campaign. We are proud to have a president who supports open, productive dialogue and who will not tolerate sexual assault on college campuses. On our own campus, It’s On Us has gained university support and has been brought to students through organizations like PAVE, who just last week held a week of action and pledge drives. A new student organization, It’s On Us, UW-Madison, is another great on-campus resource. We should all consider ourselves lucky to attend a university with a campus community so dedicated to preventing sexual assault. If you missed the pledge drives, you can still take the pledge online at http://itsonus.org/#pledge.
By no means does taking an online pledge mean sexual assault on college campuses will magically be eradicated. We can, however, create a more educated and socially conscious campus community. Take the pledge to recognize dangerous situations and to learn how to step in. Do not be a bystander. Know your own limits, and look out for people who look like they have had too much to drink.
The absence of a “no” is not a “yes,” and if someone looks too intoxicated to give consent, help him or her get home safely. Do not blame the victims. Together, we can change the dialogue about sexual assault. It is on all of us to help our fellow Badgers and build a stronger, safer UW community.
