Discussion of sexual assault on/near colleges should be ongoing

Recent incidents of sexual assault occurring on and near Eastern Washington University’s Cheney campus have raised awareness in the community.

It’s unfortunate that sexual assault on college campuses is a topic that does not receive much discussion or media coverage.

EWU is one of many entities that are continuously attempting to talk to students about sexual assault prevention. The university’s Health, Wellness and Prevention Department has several resources for preventing and responding to sexual assault incidents, including the “Speaking of Sex” program during Welcome Week.

There’s also “Think About It,” an online course that covers sexual assault prevention as well as high-risk drinking and drug use. Some students don’t see the importance of that education until they find themselves in a dangerous situation. Sexual assault won’t affect most students, but to the small percentage who are assaulted, their lives are changed forever. It’s not something you get over.

Students have also taken it upon themselves to raise awareness about sexual assault. On Nov. 4, Eastern students held a rally on campus to take a stand against sexual assault. The sororities on campus created the “I’ve Got Your Back” program. The program is designed to connect a student with a group of contacts in case of a dangerous situation.

Sexual assault is one of the problems many college students — men and women — face when they arrive on campus. According to a survey conducted by the Association of American Universities, 11 percent of student respondents, across 27 universities, reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual conduct, threats of physical force or incapacitation since they enrolled at their university. In EWU’s annual security and fire report, there were six sex offense-forcible incidents — three on campus and three at residential facilities — in 2014, more than the previous year’s number of two incidents and the same number of six in 2012.

Many factors can contribute to sexual assault. Boys and girls are away from home for the first time and their inhibitions go down, especially when drugs and alcohol are involved. There is the he said/she said argument, or mixed signals. Sometimes the offender ignored the signals and carried out the act. There are times when victims do not come forward because sexual assault is a personal crime and lives are changed.

Recently, victims of sexual assault have been coming forward and taking a stand, speaking out against their attackers and sexual assault instead of hiding. In the past it wasn’t always like that. In some instances victims did not report sexual assault incidents for fear of facing scrutiny and shaming from others, or they are afraid that anyone won’t believe their story. Sometimes they don’t know what constitutes sexual assault.

Now there are movements to spread awareness and encourage victims to unite, stand up for themselves and not let their experience or attackers control their lives.

Raising awareness about sexual assault should include educating others and ourselves. Parents and guardians should talk to their children about sexual assault prevention and consent before they leave for college — maybe while they are in high school. The discussion could include ways they can help victims and intervening to prevent incidents from happening.

There are several organizations and support groups that help sexual assault victims.

For Eastern students who are sexually assaulted, there are several places they can go. They can contact Student Support and Advocacy at (509) 359-7924, the EWU Police Department at (509) 359-4021, the Cheney Police Department at (509) 498-9235 and the EWU Title IX Coordinator (509)359-6361.