Since November 9th of 2016, this country has been in a state of turmoil. Protests and riots have erupted throughout the country — and the world — proclaiming the strength and resistance of people who stand against the president and government they consider to be corrupt and detrimental. Throughout the months, we’ve seen countless cutbacks and multiple voting sessions to remove legislation and projects set forth by the Obama administration.
Within the past week alone, two of the biggest stories so far broke from the White House. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) ended and Title IX was put in the crosshairs as another loss for the public in the very near future.
If you are unaware, Title IX is a set of guidelines that universities and colleges must follow in prevention and response to sexual assaults on their campuses. This is the reason for the emails that the VT police send out after all such cases; at the bottom of each of these emails is a list of resources, suggested safety measures and reminders that the victim is never to blame for anything that may have happened. Simple things like those emails could become a thing of the past, though we are not yet sure of the nature or extent of the changes that will be made.
Title IX is present to protect the victims of abuse and to provide those who are not able to come forward with information on how to get help. We fear that, without Title IX, we might go back to when girls were afraid to walk outside alone, when dates were always in a group, when people didn’t do more than hug on a first date. We go back to a time where the victim is blamed for their clothes, action or lack of action. We go back to a time where instead of believing the victim we question them and make them feel as though somehow they are the ones being investigated.
Betsy Devos has no right to take away what little protection sexual assault victims have. Title IX is what holds universities and colleges responsible for what goes on between their students on their campus. Without Title IX, who’s to say we won’t go back to endless cover ups and denials of wrongdoing.
We do have a voice and our opinions do matter. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault please feel free to contact your local representatives and tell them how you feel.
Senator Mark Warner (Washington Office): 202-224-2023
Senator Tim Kaine (Washington Office): 202-224-4024
Representative Morgan Griffith (Washington Office): 202-225-3861
US Department of Education: 1-800-872-5327
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault please feel free to contact:
Cook Counseling Center: 540-231-6557
Psychological Services Center: 540-231-6914
VT Police: 540-382-4343 (non-emergency number)
Women’s Center of VT: 540-231-7806
Title IX Coordinator: 540-231-8771
Title IX Deputy Coordinator: 540-231-8064
Image Sources:
All Gifs from Giphy.com, Pexles.com