END RAPE ON CAMPUS: Title IX
In spring of 2015, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) announced that over 100 universities would be investigated on the grounds of their actions and handlings of sexual-assault cases on campuses around the country. Earlier in the spring, End Rape on Campus (EROC), a national organization fighting for justice of on campus sexual assaults, was asked for an interview with Bill Maher on his HBO show “Real Time—with Bill Maher,” gripping, shocking, and disgusting are the words that come to mind with how corrupt our collegiate educational system has become—watch their interview here. Their mission is to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities as well as policy reform at the campus, local, state, and federal levels.
What exactly is Title IX?
In bare bones, Title IX is an education amendment that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that receives federal funding. Sexual discrimination includes sexual battery, sexual assault, rape and sexual harassment where the victim’s access to educational opportunity or benefit is barred or impeded upon. Educate yourself more about it here.
First things first.
The most important thing you can do following a sexual assault of any kind is to file a police report. This will be helpful later on when meeting with administrators since the local police department has it documented and in some cases makes arrests. This next one is key, if you are in the situation where a rape kit should be performed, go first thing to a hospital and have it completed. This is YOUR evidence, not saying that your word isn’t good enough, but physical evidence will demolish your assaulter’s defense and will give you the best opportunity to take back what’s yours. Many victims are too scared or just so distraught after these traumatic events they lack initiative to have samples taken when they are fresh and when the story is still clear in your head. Please, take advantage of your resources following these horrific events.
Why use Title IX?
There are few other things you can actually do besides what is stated above. The police department has nothing they can do to remove the assaulter from your classes, your dorm, and the university respectively pending criminal trial conviction. Here at WWU, we actually have Title IX coordinators on campus that can provide advice and take complaints. If you do not feel the university is acting quickly enough or with enough tenacity, EROC is another source for direct support and we advise you to reach out to them regardless. Also, we have a sexual assault and violence support service you should also get in touch with. It is clear Western fails to do enough for victims, in 2014 there were only 5 total forcible sex crimes reported with ZERO from being reported from off-campus locations. Read this article about how WWU handles its assault cases; it doesn’t look very good. Over 40% of universities reported zero rape cases annually, which is why the USED has chosen to investigate many colleges. Many universities around the nation seem to sweep sexual assaults under the rug and allow both students to continue their education, which is completely unjust. Universities with high sexual assault case numbers will look unappealing to possible applicants, so they are advantaged not to report and follow through with actions. Once they are able to save face, they distance themselves from the victim. This is why we ask you to reach out to EROC, as a national organization they can ensure you are ready for your fight ahead.
You are not alone.
Don’t feel that you’re the only out there who has been sexually assaulted while being a student, 1 in 4 women are assaulted during their time in college. It’s not just up to you to file your own complaint, any student is able to file a Title IX complaint on behalf of another student, so if you are not a victim you can still help your friend in need. Don’t forget the incredible community you have around you, your friends and classmates are more than willing to hear your story, even if you don’t expect them to. Don’t stop fighting: fight your assaulter, fight the doubters and fight the university. Don’t give up on YOUR justice, you deserve it. There is nothing the university can do to penalize you for making a complaint besides not acting. Continue to have your voice heard, speak out! There cannot be change without those willing to speak out.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We are asking any students to come forth and share their story. We want to hear YOUR story, how it was handled by the police, the university and did you get the JUSTICE you deserve.