“She was asking for it.” “She shouldn’t have worn that.” “She shouldn’t have flirted with him.”
Many women hear these phrases after reporting sexual harassment. As a Black woman, I have faced the disturbing realities of sexual harassment, discrimination, and stalking. These phrases highlight how our society perpetuates victim-blaming and contributes to rape culture.
Phrases like these discourage many women, who have already endured the worst possible scenarios, from coming forward. Following my report of sexual harassment and stalking to a former supervisor, the situation worsened considerably. Others joined in on the harassment with prank calls, following and taunting me outside my apartment, and yelling sexually suggestive comments at me while going about my daily routine. The situation escalated to the point where some individuals even crossed the line by inappropriately touching me. Shockingly, instead of receiving support, I encountered skepticism and suggestions that I might be suffering from mental delusions. This distressing ordeal persisted for several years.
The individuals responsible for these malicious acts faced no consequences. As a result, I had to seek new employment and relocate to a different city. I was the one who bore the brunt of the upheaval in my life.
Countless students attending universities nationwide have bravely come forward to report instances of sexual violence only to encounter institutions that either disregard their suffering or fail to take prompt action. The absence of comprehensive education and policies addressing sexual harassment paves the way for other students to endure similar traumatic experiences that could be prevented. The repercussions of these violations echo throughout the victims’ education. Many find it challenging to attend classes and witness their academic performance decline. Some students take extended leaves of absence to heal or distance themselves from their perpetrators. Others must transfer to a different institution or abandon their educational pursuits.
The prevalence of these offenses underscores the pressing need for measures to educate, prevent, address, and report such misconduct on campuses and in the workplace. Research has shown that isolated activities, such as a single one-hour online class or a solitary lecture, are ineffective and lack evidential support in preventing sexual violence. Instead, prevention efforts should encompass a range of activities to create a campus culture that fosters respect, safety, and accountability. Policies can involve the following activities:
Facilitate training sessions to establish positive norms around gender, sexuality, and violence, which will help build healthy relationship skills.
Implement interventions within residence halls and athletic programs to address hyper-masculine peer norms that may support or facilitate cases of sexual violence.
Develop interactive sessions for students to learn how to intervene as bystanders.
Involve campus leaders to foster a culture of safety and respect.
Run a social marketing campaign to address norms related to sexual violence, gender, and sexuality.
Establish a robust reporting process to ensure clear and accessible avenues for reporting any concerning behavior or incidents.
Developing and implementing thorough training programs and policies to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination are essential in creating safe and respectful environments. It is crucial to eliminate any language that shifts blame onto victims of sexual assault and to establish robust support systems that empower women to speak out without fear of reprisal.
“If you were alone in the woods, would you rather encounter a bear or a man?”
This question gained significant attention when it was posed to eight women on the TikTok channel Screenshot HQ. Surprisingly, seven of the eight women opted to face a bear rather than a man in the wilderness, while one chose the man. The video quickly went viral, accumulating over 19.6 million views and sparking nearly 80 thousand comments.
The responses shed light on a broader societal conversation about perceptions of safety and trust, particularly concerning encounters with men. Many women expressed a deep-seated fear of potential violence from men, citing instances of victim-blaming and disbelief in cases of assault. They articulated a sense of predictability in the behavior of bears compared to the unpredictability and potential danger posed by men.
Countless comments on the viral video alarmingly highlight many women’s fears of the male presence:
One viewer stated, “For a bear, people aren’t gonna ask what I was wearing when it attacked me.” Another woman states, “No one is gonna ask me if I was leading the bear on or give a pamphlet on bear attack prevention tips.”
Furthermore, multiple users agreed on this particular comment: “If attacked by a bear, and I made it out, people would believe me and sympathize with me. But if a man attacks me and I make it out, I would spend my whole life trying to get people to believe me.”
The discussion didn’t end with the initial video. Numerous variations of the question surfaced, with people asking friends and family members for their opinions, and many men acknowledging the danger of the male presence. These conversations highlighted the complex emotions and experiences underlying women’s apprehensions about being alone with men.
Unsurprisingly, the assertion that women would choose a bear over a man sparked backlash from some men who felt unfairly vilified. They argued that the question perpetuated negative stereotypes and failed to acknowledge that the majority of men do not pose a threat. Some even deemed it misandrist.
In response, men began challenging the question by asking other men, “Would you rather tell your feelings to a woman or a tree?” Many men chose the tree.
However, this question and the objections to the initial question overlook many women’s genuine fears and experiences. Statistics from organizations like the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center showcase the gravity of the issue.
According to the RAINN, a staggering one out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, with 54% of victims aged between 18 and 34. Furthermore, the NSVRC states that while 9% of sexual assault victims are male, a staggering 91% are predominantly female. Moreover, 99% of perpetrators are male, with only 1% being female or nonbinary.
These statistics paint a stark picture of the prevalence and gender dynamics of sexual assault. They underscore the urgent need for systemic change, challenging society to reevaluate how it addresses and prevents assault and emphasizing the imperative of teaching respect and consent from a young age.
Ultimately, this question catalyzes essential conversations about safety, trust, and the imperative of fostering a culture that prioritizes the well-being of all individuals, regardless of gender.
The bill was approved unanimously and was sent to the House.
It comes as states are increasingly working to update their laws to respond to such instances that have included the victimization of celebrities including Taylor Swift through the creation and distribution of computer-generated images using artificial intelligence to seem real.
Under the bill, one provision would make it a crime to try to harass someone by distributing a deepfake image of them without their consent while in a state of nudity or engaged in a sexual act. The offense would be more serious if the victim is a minor.
“What this sends is a very strong message that OU is going to do minimal and certainly doesn’t seem to have anybody’s back.” -Michael Givel, OU Professor
Once again, another “Most Dangerous College Campuses in America” list has just been published. This time by a Virginia-based personal injury law firm, the Parrish Law Firm. It’s been 12 years since I first wrote Publishing the ‘25 Most Dangerous Colleges in America’ List is Irresponsible. In that article, I explained that lists like these that solely rely on reported crime data threaten to reverse the progress made by victim advocates and organizations like the Clery Center that have been working diligently to encourage colleges to report crime.
“We found that men (compared to women) believed the women in the voice recordings less, blamed them more, and judged them more negatively. Compared to women, men also perceived more strongly that men differ from each other, and that men face as much stigma in today’s society as women. Men who identified highly with their own gender also saw the woman who talked about being sexually assaulted by a man as less moral than they saw the other women they listened to in the recordings.
Within science, technology, engineering and math, the researchers expected that women in male dominated STEM majors (engineering, physics and computer science), would experience more sexual assault than women majoring in non-STEM fields and gender-balanced STEM disciplines (chemistry, math and biology). Surprisingly, the data suggest the opposite is true. Women in gender-balanced STEM majors reported the most sexual violence.
In 1950, my grandfather’s life took an unexpected turn when he contracted polio while pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. Confined to an iron lung for months and paralyzed from the waist down, his journey was fraught with physical and societal obstacles. Yet, he persevered, marrying my grandmother, completing his college education, and defying expectations by establishing a successful family medical practice.
Growing up, I was captivated by the stories of his resilience in the face of adversity. One particular tale resonates deeply—a testament to the power of support and advocacy. Upon his return to college, wheelchair-bound and facing accessibility barriers in the buildings his classes were in, a group of football players stepped up daily, lifting him up the stairs to attend his classes. Their unwavering solidarity not only facilitated his education but also symbolized a beacon of hope in a world often indifferent to the needs of people with disabilities.
Today, as we reflect on my grandfather’s journey, his story intersects with a pressing issue on college campuses: the alarming rates of sexual violence against students with disabilities. According to a study by the Association of American Universities, individuals with disabilities experience sexual violence at significantly higher rates than their non-disabled peers. Shockingly, one in three students with disabilities becomes a victim of sexual violence during their time on campus.
Yet, despite the staggering statistics, the voices of these vulnerable individuals remain largely unheard in discussions surrounding campus safety and sexual assault prevention. The federal government’s research on campus sexual assaults often overlooks the unique experiences of students with disabilities, perpetuating a cycle of invisibility and neglect.
So, how do we honor the legacy of support and advocacy exemplified by the football players who lifted my grandfather up those stairs? How do we extend that same sense of solidarity to protect and uplift students with disabilities today?
Firstly, we must prioritize the accessibility of college sexual assault programs and services. This includes ensuring that resources are tailored to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities, from providing alternative formats for educational materials to offering accessible reporting mechanisms.
Secondly, we must amplify the voices of individuals with disabilities within the broader conversation on campus safety. By actively engaging with disability advocacy organizations and fostering inclusive dialogue, we can create spaces where their perspectives are valued and their experiences are acknowledged.
Moreover, the recent recognition of people with disabilities as a health disparity population by the National Institutes of Health signifies a crucial step forward. This designation opens doors to increased funding, research, and initiatives aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, including the intersection of disability and sexual violence on college campuses.
In honoring my grandfather’s journey, we must commit ourselves to creating a future where no student feels marginalized or unsafe because of their disability. Just as those football players lifted him up those stairs, let us lift the voices of students with disabilities, ensuring they are heard, supported, and protected every step of the way.
Many times, when we think of the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), we imagine a war-torn veteran coming back from years of serving valiantly overseas. Our minds might even drift to the survivor of a car accident, afraid to get back in the driver’s seat and complete necessary travel. Rarely do we consider another silent population of those diagnosed with PTSD— survivors of sexual assault and violence.
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It affects individuals from all walks of life, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other forms of violence. Understanding PTSD and its effects is essential for creating a supportive environment for survivors and fostering healing and resilience.
For survivors of violence, safety is paramount. The trauma of experiencing violence can have lasting effects on a person’s sense of security and well-being. As advocates for survivors, it is crucial to prioritize safety in all aspects of their lives, including physical, emotional, and psychological safety. This may involve creating safety plans, seeking support from trusted individuals or organizations, and accessing shelters or hotlines. We must amplify the resources and options students have on college campuses.
Self-care is equally vital for survivors on their journey toward healing and recovery. Taking care of one’s physical and emotional well-being can help individuals cope with the effects of trauma and regain a sense of control over their lives. Self-care practices may include engaging in activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction, seeking therapy or counseling, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and connecting with supportive communities or peer groups.
During National PTSD Awareness Month and beyond, let us reaffirm our commitment to promoting safety, healing, and resilience for survivors of trauma. By raising awareness, offering support, and prioritizing self-care, we can create a more compassionate and inclusive society where survivors feel empowered to seek help and reclaim their lives.
Louisiana State University has resolved a federal lawsuit with ten women who asserted the mishandling of their sexual assault cases involving athletes by the university, as documented in court records.
