The editorial of last Tuesday misses the key point of the conversation brought to campus by speakers Jackson Katz and Don McPherson — that men across campus (and everywhere) need to step up when it comes to violence against women and take responsibility for their part in these conflicts.
This widespread, deeply personal issue is not exclusively one that affects the female gender, but everyone on our campus.
Because of this omission, this editorial ends up focusing on other "aspects" of this problem: women. The editorial reminds the reader that men are only half of the equation in eliminating dating and relationship violence—women seem to have an equal part.
How so? According to the editorial, women encourage each other to dress suggestively, to engage in "dangerous sexual behaviors for physical gratification." Even if these encouragements are "in jest," they are still dangerous to women's safety in social situations.
I am offended that The DePauw's editorial board takes such a reactionary stance on the issue of men's violence against women. Consent doesn't depend on how low-cut a woman's blouse is or how tight her jeans are. It doesn't matter if she came to a party to drink or to meet men. These are not excuses for anyone to commit rape or sexual assault.
Publishing that sexual assault can be prevented by dressing differently or by changing one's intentions is irresponsible and dangerous. It lays the burden of preventing sexual assault solely on women.
This claim ignores the central point brought up by both McPherson and Katz: men also must confront the pervasive issue of sexual assault because they are so often its perpetrators.