Sexual assault isn’t a myth at Bucknell: it’s a reality. This year, there have already been reported sexual assault misconducts, and it’s time we stand for a difference. There are four important aspects to keep in mind while evaluating sexual assault.
1. Sexual assault is not solely a women’s issue.
While it’s much more unlikely for men to be sexually assaulted, that doesn’t mean men cannot be affected by the tragedies surrounding sexual assault. If you are a man, you may not be the perpetrator, but many people you care about may be the victim. Next time you see your guy friend getting with a girl who is visibly very intoxicated, think of who that drunken girl is and who she could be. Think of your mother, your sister, your girlfriend and even your future daughter…not cool.
2. Victim blaming is never okay.
It’s understandable that identifying factors that lead to more dangerous situations is useful for educational and preventative purposes. However, when we are speaking to victims, questions prodding their outfits or social choices are both inappropriate and irrelevant once the victim has been assaulted: there is no use of throwing salt in the wound.
I challenge men to change the way they act and not single out a girl who may be wearing “provocative” clothing. Safety is, however, an important issue we need to take into account as women. We should be able to walk around in whatever clothing we want to and feel free and unharmed, but with the world we live in, we cannot. I challenge women to think about the message we are sending the hormone-crazed men we tend to party with. Dave Chappelle said it best, “Gentlemen this is true, just because women dress a certain way does not mean they are a certain way, don’t ever forget it. But ladies you must understand that sh*t is f***ing confusing!”
3. Getting “blackout” drunk isn’t as cool as we think.
Having some drinks at a party and getting buzzed is undeniably fun, and something that happens at Bucknell and in college at large. However, we as Bucknellians need to realize when enough is enough. Regardless of your gender, getting drunk to a point where you wake up next to someone and say, “what is their name again?” is a serious problem. I mean like a potential lawsuit and expulsion problem.
There are also other dangers associated with getting too drunk; as I’m sure we’ve all heard before. I lived it, as last year I took a tumble down a frat staircase and broke my wrist. It was all fun and games until I had to take my finals with my left hand (as a righty), needed my roommate’s help every morning getting dressed and my parents got the hospital bill (sorry, Mom & Dad).
4. One group alone cannot solve sexual assault at Bucknell.
There are initiatives women can take and initiatives men can take, but they would be nothing without the collaborative efforts of both. Just last week, both sorority and non-affiliated women have taken a huge step in adopting the “No More” campaign, which implores women to take a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault.
As a response, fraternity men made a huge move. A new initiative has been implemented thanks to the hard work of the IFC diversity chair, Alex Sandoval. “Now, each fraternity has at least one representative that is trained by SpeakUp Bucknell as an ‘ally,’ who is educated on the topic of sexual assault,” explained Jon Como, IFC President.
Sure, these “ally” representatives will not solve the issue of sexual assault. However, the position is an excellent step towards facilitating conversation and initiating change—something I sincerely praise the fraternities for adopting.
A huge step towards stopping sexual assault and rebuilding victim’s self-esteem lies in empowerment. There is a lot of power to spread here at Bucknell. I have some people who I would like to thank for empowering me daily. Thank you: fraternity men for stepping up as “allies” in your chapter, Bucknell women for adopting the “No More” campaign, sexual assault survivors for sharing painful stories at Bucknell’s “Take Back the Night” event, and Tracy Russell, for heading the Women’s Resource Center and advocating for countless victims. Lastly, thank you to those who have taken time out their day to read my article: you all empower me.
I am thankful for having so many sources of empowerment, but more than anything, I hope that my opinions are thoughtful enough to empower all of you. For the sake of the Bucknell community, for your mothers, your sisters and your daughters, break the gender barrier and begin the discussion about sexual assault with your friends. Think about what you can do to combat sexual assaults: join a club, start a conversation, or stop your friend from making a mistake. You can make a difference; let’s stop sexual assaults at Bucknell.