On Wednesday, The Badger Herald news department reported the horrifying story of a University of Wisconsin student who was allegedly raped last October. After attending the UW football game against Ohio State, the victim went out with a few members of the Sigma Chi fraternity and later woke up at the fraternity’s Langdon Street house.

After having a resident of the house scream at her profusely, the victim went home and later found herself bruised and bleeding, and a doctor later determined she was raped by multiple individuals.

We cannot imagine the pain this victim has lived with over the course of the last five months. Her incredible courage in coming forth to tell her story shows her desire to see such disgusting acts come to an end.

In response to the Herald’s story, Greek community members were issued a gag order and told not to speak out on the issue. While the primary intention of the order is likely to prevent any interaction with the press, we urge anyone with information regarding the incident in question to come forward to the Madison Police Department. Sitting on information that could lead to a break in this case is cowardly and selfish.

We desperately hope the victim’s story leads to justice for what happened to her, but we also hope it leads to reform within and outside of the Greek community. For years, the Interfraternity Council — made up of UW fraternity members — has refused to divulge any information regarding criminal acts at their houses. It is time they open their meetings and, at the very least, release information both Greek members and the public deserve to know about, particularly those involving safety.

On the level of the UW administration, we urge Dean of Students Lori Berquam to appoint an assistant dean, not simply a liaison, to attend all Interfraternity Council meetings and enact harsher punishments for wrongdoings within the Greek system. Clearly a governing board solely comprised of students is not effective, as years of allegations and crimes have not led to any reform. Now is the time for change, and Berquam must be a part of it.

The victim of the alleged rape at Sigma Chi showed bravery in coming forth with her story. While her life will never return to normal, nor will she ever be able to erase the pain she has experienced and will continue to endure, the Greek community and UW administration owe it to her to see that change comes.

The Greek community has proven to be a wonderful experience for many students on this campus, but without addressing, solving and erasing the issues of sexual assault that have arisen, individuals will only be hurt in the future and a poor reputation will only endure.