Warning: this content may be a trigger for some individuals.
In response to recent discussion surrounding sexual assault on campus, we urge everyone to focus the conversation on ways of combating the issue at hand: why is sexual assault occurring? Sexual assault is not acceptable, period. We must focus the discussion around what in our society allows individuals to think that rape and sexual assault is acceptable in any form. Emphasis must be placed on providing consent, that anything but a clear YES should be interpreted as a no. With conversation shifting away from the comfortable/uncomfortable mantra that has taken shape over the past semester and back to an involved dialogue, we can proceed to combat the statistics and truly reduce the amount of assaults that occur.
It is unfortunate that we can't combat the perpetrators directly. However, we can act preventatively. Through becoming active bystanders, we can all work to ensure that preventable situations can be avoided. Many cases of sexual assault begin in a public environment where there is an opportunity to intervene. Through being proactive and being aware of the events and individuals around us, we can stop sexual assault before it occurs. Watch for signs of incapacitation, unwanted or unwarranted advances and situations that appear wrong. When you see signs, act! Distract those in the situation, directly intervene if you are comfortable and if not utilize your resources such as finding another individual who can. If we were to watch for warning signs and for each other, positive bystander intervention could create a powerful impact on this prevalent issue.
In the case of a sexual assault case actually taking place, let's then discuss how we help the survivor. In our society, the blame is often wrongly placed, thus leaving survivors of sexual assault in a position of feeling alone. These are our friends, peers and relatives. We need to be willing to do something. We need to start by doing something right.
These statistics can be reduced drastically by engaging in conversations about consent, being an active bystander and acting on these topics. This is something we can do together.
Code T.E.A.L. Committee
