As I move in to my first ever college dorm, conversations are rising everywhere about the start of school, weekend plans, and figuring out the campus. I'm in plenty of group chats with people from my college on Facebook, so we can all get to know each other before school starts. An interesting thing was said in one of my group chats, and it got my attention. A person said that girls should stick to not going out because there is a risk of being drugged or raped on a college campus. A girl followed up by saying that it's sad that guys should be the reason we're scared to go out, and it got my attention.
You hear about it all the time, sexual assaults on college campuses.In fact, At least 50% of college student sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use (http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/article/Sexual...). Society tells girls that we should be carrying around rape whistles, or pocket knives, or pepper spray, and that we should always walk in groups at night. Look cute while going out, but don't wear anything too short or revealing because that's asking for something, right? Don't go out because don't you see what happens to girls on college campuses? It's ridiculous. I understand, guys can have the same troubles on a college campus, but apparently it's riskier for girls to go out. We're supposed to stay inside because guys somehow can't figure out that drugging and sexually assaulting a girl is WRONG.
Also, can we just take a second to think about the fact that girls can't even wear what they want to wear because if something happens, they asked for it? If my tank top showing my shoulders is too much for a guy, then they have a major problem that needs fixed ASAP. Stopping sexual assaults on college campuses is something that may never happen, or it will take a long time to put it to a stop, but bringing recognition to it is important.
I personally think it is sad to have to worry about this as a female. Watching what I wear and where my drink is at all times should not be a constant fear. As a society, we have GOT to step it up to make college campuses safer overall for males and females.
Ladies, DO NOT hesitate to go out just because you are scared. No guy should stop you from going out and having fun with your girls. On the flip side, still be careful. Any college campus, no matter where you go, is risky for both males and females. Taking recognition to this topic is SO important, and will help us take the next step into making college campuses safer all over the U.S.
For more information on sexual assaults on college campuses and prevention, visit http://pact5.org/ and let's make college campuses a safer place to be.
