The Federal Department of Education released a list this week of 55 schools of higher education who are under current investigations over possible Title IX violations. These schools being investigated for potentially inadequate responses to campus sexual assaults.
Amongst those under investigation are two West Virginia colleges, Bethany College and the West Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. These are both located about 2 hours away from Wesleyan. Also nearby is Frostburg State University, about 2 hours from Buckhannon in the Western Maryland area. Government officials have seen a rise in incidents on campuses around the country, and are beginning to questions how these situations should be handled and stepping up to make changes.
“Colleges and universities can no longer turn a blind eye or pretend rape and sexual assault doesn’t occur on their campuses, “ said Vice President Biden in a recent government report. “We need to provide survivors with more support and we need to bring perpetrators to more justice and we need colleges to step up.”
Biden announced a new campaign addressing sexual violence on campuses, and launched a new website where students can report data and find resources – NotAlone.gov.
According to the Washington Post, President Obama created the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault in January. The group includes officials such as Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
These examinations of policy are a step toward making college campuses safer for women. It begs the question: Is Wesleyan doing enough?
According to the WVWC Annual Security Report of 2013, there were zero sexual offenses, forcible or non-forcible, on campus or off campus, that were handled through campus security or judicial board from 2010-2012.
Wesleyan does have teams and policies in place that help students report incidents and work with local law enforcement, as well as punishments through the school judicial board for offenders. Wesleyan also presents sexual assault awareness programs for freshman every fall, and other organizations hold events such as the Vagina Monlogues on campus.
Do you think these policies and events work in keeping our campus safe for female students?
Do you feel women at Weselyan are encouraged or supported in reporting sexual assault?
Comment below or let us know on Facebook!