Slippery Rock University is a widely known school. They are acclaimed for having terrific academic programs, as well as a small family-like campus and community. Sadly like many other universities, there is one thing they don't want to be known for— sexual assault.
During the first week of November, an SRU student and sorority member was sexually assaulted by a classmate. Being an incredibly brave woman, she reported her assault. As she began the process of having her attacker held accountable for his disgusting crimes, another student stepped forward.
Together, they built their case against their attacker in the hopes of finding justice and peace. Their attacker was removed from campus once a second victim came forward, and was not able to return pending a university hearing.
These two incredibly strong women each had separate hearings, where they provided ample evidence that the student in question did sexually assault them and had absolutely no consent to do so. They had enough proof to have their insensitive and malicious attacker expelled from SRU.
However, in the end, their attacker won the case. He was found innocent of all accusations and will be returning to campus shortly to finish out his semester. This is why only 20% of on-campus sexual assaults are reported. Universities want to cover it up.
Universities are supposed to care for their students and protect them. That means NOT letting an offending rapist be on campus so he can harm more women. Instead of caring for students safety, all SRU cares about is hiding this assault to keep their image intact.
Thankfully, these brave girls aren't giving up. One victim, who is in the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, has the backing of her sisters to help start a movement. The #IStandWithMySister and #SigmaStrong hashtags are being used across all social media platforms in order to show SRU that she is not alone, and if they won't fight for her, then her sisters will.
Sororities not only from SRU, but West Liberty University, Marshall University, WV Wesleyan College, University of Akron, and Marietta College have all adopted the hashtags to show support.
This enormous outpouring of support from multiple sororities and campuses shows that no matter what you're going through, someone will fight for you.
Please, join our fight and help us find justice for these women. Don't let SRU sweep them under the rug. They are not a statistic, they are wonderful human beings.
