We need to talk about it. We need to get a dialogue going. We need to yell it from the top of Kennedy Place so everyone in Tampa can hear. We need to talk about college rape.
It’s tough, I know. It’s a touchy and misconceived subject. But, campus rape occurs much more frequently than is reported and serves to compromise the safety of UT’s women. According to statistics obtained by the U.S Department of Justice, one in four women are assaulted or raped, but fewer than 5 percent of college women report the incident to campus authorities (cops.usdoj.gov). The University’s compliance with the Clery Act reported three incidents of “Sexual Offense, Forcible” in 2005. Sadly, if the statistics are correct, this means that in 2005 there might have been approximately 60 cases of assault or rape. We need to get talking because these numbers have to change.
As a member of the Women’s Organization, it is my sincerest hope that The University of Tampa does everything within their power to keep our community safe. But, if the community does not start a dialogue, Security can only do so much. We need to lift the stigmatization of the victim, and support reporting and recovery. As a campus, we need to hold the individuals who perpetrate sexual assault accountable, as well as the misunderstanding of certain members of our administration. Through further education programs – not limited to freshman orientation – aimed at properly defining sexual assault, harassment and rape, the University and its students will be more prepared to deal with this epidemic.
We need to educate our students that the most common assaults occur by someone the victim knows and in residence halls. We need to talk about the inherent vulnerabilities of the first few weeks of freshman and sophomore year, and how those vulnerabilities are exacerbated by alcohol. Self defense classes, reeducation programs, raising awareness will help decrease the number of assaults on campus. Although, it is near to impossible to eliminate these numbers. We can at the very least support those affected and prevent future attacks.
Violence against women occurs on campus: OUR campus, in our community. The apathy that swallows so many of the University’s students should be crushed on a topic such as this – it is the community’s choice to make rape unacceptable. Through a collective movement, we can make administration stand up against this problem with us. We can make them become proactive rather than retroactive. The population of UT is two thirds women, but rape affects everyone. These are your classmates, suitemates, sorority sisters and friends.
So ladies, get talking. It has to start somewhere.