Sexual violence is a problem on campuses across America. This is common sense. It shouldn’t be a controversial statement, but it is.

Many colleges are currently under investigation for Title IX violations. Lawsuits have been filed on the grounds that they mishandled claims of sexual assault and harassment on campus. These university policies are currently filled with more loopholes than standards.

This is evident as we’ve seen cases over the past few years where students, found guilty of rape, have been allowed to graduate. We’ve seen a culture where authorities still tend to blame the victim.

It is encouraging that our government is recognizing this issue and taking steps to fix it. Yet even as we see progress on the horizon, I wonder why universities are not doing more to help victims. Why did we have to wait for the federal government to step in? We shouldn’t need the government to force universities to have clear sexual violence policies. They should take that initiative on their own.

Sexual violence not only harms the victims, but the institutions within which it occurs. Specifically, schools need to be concerned. Students attend school to learn, but they cannot properly do so in an environment that condones sexual harassment and violence. In its mildest form, harassment is a distraction. At its worst, harassment can completely prevent a student from successfully completing classes. School officials should be worried about anything that could potentially undermine learning and steps must be taken to bring this concern into the spotlight.

It is appalling that we have gone for decades without clear procedures outlined in student handbooks. It is repulsive that, even after Title IX, universities are shying away from educating students and faculty about this issue. Education programs are finally federally mandated, but it is a shame we have had to wait so long.

I don’t always agree with vice president Joe Biden, but he gets it right on this topic when he says, “I understand all the excuses and I understand all the rationale but colleges and universities can no longer turn a blind eye or pretend rape or sexual assault doesn't occur on their campuses. I understand that the good guys [that] report feel like they may be damaging the reputation of their schools. I get it. But it doesn't matter. We need to provide survivors with support and we need to bring perpetrators to justice. I challenge every college and university...they have a moral responsibility to know what is happening on their campus."

At the end of the day, institutions are too concerned with maintaining a reputation of safety. They worry about driving their crime statistics up. But we have to remember that ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, it continues to affect society as a whole. It speaks volumes about our culture’s view on women. A society that turns a blind eye to sexual crimes is a society that does not place a high value on women. It reinforces the misplaced belief that women are merely objects to fulfill men’s sexual desires. By not actively punishing harassers and abusers, society is indirectly telling these men that their behavior is acceptable. This makes women responsible for the sexual desires of men, and it simultaneously insults men by implying they have no control of their thoughts and actions. It is important for society to be aware that we are objectifying women and reducing men to animals.

This issue should not be swept under the rug. Individuals must be consciously aware that this is a problem that’s happening around them, to people that they love not distant and far away. Anyone and everyone can make a difference. We can be a support system for victims…and let universities know when we are not satisfied with their policies.