Campus safety has become quite an issue for colleges and universities especially when reports of sexual assaults gained national attention. One case has faced backlash from the public when a convicted rapist only got to serve half of his six-month sentence.
Brock Turner, a former student of Stanford University, was released from jail in the early morning of Sep. 2. He only served three months of his six-month sentence, which has already faced backlash for its leniency. He was convicted of raping an unconscious woman at a party.
This brought light on the current condition of safety in campuses. USA Today College reported that data from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center revealed that one in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college. The publication spoke with Laura Palumbo, communications director of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, who shared seven ways that students can create a healthier and safer sexual culture in colleges and universities.
1. Check whether there are situations or comments that are sexist, homophobic, racist or transphobic. These are factors in making students feel unsafe in the campus.
2. Be an active bystander. You will have two roles: to get involved when you hear or see something problematic happening and to proactively prevent these things from happening in the first place through sending messages of violence prevention.
3. Know that violence comes in different forms and that all are serious. Being able to recognize early signs of violence can help prevent them and you can help others as well.
4. Ensure that all the communities and organizations that you're involved in make everyone feel included and safe. This is regardless of whether you're with a fraternity or sorority, internship, athletic team, club or any other extracurricular activity.
5. Learn more about sexual consent. This way, you can also teach others on how consent is vital in all healthy sexual interactions.
6. Find out what resources you and your peers can use on campus. There are counseling centers and safe spaces in some colleges and universities that students can go to for help.
7. Believe that sexual assault can be prevented. Be part of the change and create a community where everyone treats everyone else with respect.
