Currently, the documentary The Hunting Ground, directed by Kirby Dick (The Invisible War), is taking college campuses by storm. In case you haven’t heard about the movie before, it discusses how college administrations have mishandled rape cases all over the country. The Hunting Ground came out March 20 and follows the accounts of many girls and guys, but focuses on Andrea Pino and Annie Clark, two UNC students who spearheaded a campaign to file a Title IX complaint against their college for how their own rapes were handled. Their bravery has caused other students at other schools to come forward and are part of the reason to why the Department of Education are investigating certain schools, including UNC. The film starts by touching upon how excited students were to start the next four years at the schools they decided to go to. No one was worried about sexual assault making the next four years of their life a living hell. I found this to be very relatable. In high school, I never really thought about the chance that I – or someone I knew – could be sexually assaulted on a college campus. We were all so excited to graduate and attend the schools we worked so hard to get into. Senior year, one Health teacher made everyone in the class list every girl they knew and then cross off every fifth name, saying 1 in 5 women are victims of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. However, even though we knew the statistics and how bad the situation was, we pushed it into the back of our minds. Furthermore, if you had considered the facts, you didn’t consider that justice wouldn’t come to an attacker.
Yet, sexual assault happens all too often on campus and justice doesn’t come for many, including all of those who were featured in the documentary. You read all the stories in the headlines, but hearing the victims’ stories, hearing their voices crack and their nervous shaky, laugh has an entirely different effect than any news headline. The accounts of the assaults make you queasy and mad, but hearing what victims went through when trying to report their assaults was infuriating. Many were encouraged not to share information with the police, males were told to “toughen up”, and girls who reported assaults by popular sports players were told to “think long and hard” about pressing charges, specifically in the case of Erica Kinsman from FSU. Many sports players were suspended or expelled after important games and some students were expelled after graduation. Why? The money and positive PR that sports players bring to the school is not worth giving up for the safety of another student. It’s pure economics. Many who are assaulted already drop out before their attacker is “punished” because going to school with their assaulter and potentially hearing about them attacking again is too much to handle.
The loopholes in the system are shocking and it’s amazing that nothing has been done until now. In addition to the trauma and violence of actual assault, the backlash both females and males experience by reporting a rape is incomprehensible considering college is an institution expected to protect its students. It’s understandable that administration wants to protect those accused of a serious crime, however, according to the film, only 8 percent of rape claims are false and most rapists are repeat offenders. One would assume that they wouldn’t need to give up their basic civil rights in return for a student loan.
Everyone is so proud of the universities that they go to so naturally no one wants to consider that their administration may also be one of many to not handle sexual assault correctly. However, with all the stories I have heard at other schools and on my own, it’s hard not to think about it. The sad thing is that before I even purchased my ticket to see The Hunting Ground, I had already decided I was uncertain and concerned about how my own college administration really handles sexual assault behind closed doors. The film just emphasized that my concerns may not be an overreaction. It highlighted a problem for all colleges. So many amazing and reputable schools failed to accurately respond to a serious issue like sexual assault despite their excellence in academics, study abroad, sports, career opportunities, and campus morale. That is not okay and something needs to be done.
The good thing about this film is that it will provoke discussion and that discussion will make change. People like Annie Clark and Andrea Pino will make administrations take a good look at how they handle the crime of sexual assault and their responsibility to all students on campus.
Already, things are beginning to slowly change and people are being heard at many schools. Northeastern students have been petitioning for a gender resource center to replace VISION (read more here) which will make students aware of their rights and be better equipped to respond to sexual assault compared to now. This referendum passed with 89 percent of students in support. Administration has taken very positive steps in preparing to shape up their response to sexual assault, such as sending out a climate survey. They are not in denial, unlike other colleges and universities. Now, the plans just need to go into action. You can have a voice in this plan by supporting SHARE, the Sexual Health Advocacy Resources of Education.
If you haven’t seen The Hunting Grounds yet, it will be aired on CNN this year and is being screened around the country. Check their schedule to see if it is coming to a place near you.