Ohio University Clearly Has A Problem With Sexual Assault And We Need To Keep Talking About It
Start writing a post
Student Life

Ohio University Clearly Has A Problem With Sexual Assault And We Need To Keep Talking About It

Facts, figures, and what you can do to help.

491
Ohio University Clearly Has A Problem With Sexual Assault And We Need To Keep Talking About It
Cherry Laithang

The emails with subjects like “Crime Alert: Wanted for Rape/Sexual Assault/Gross Sexual Imposition” have become almost routine to Ohio University students this semester. In 2016, Ohio University was reported to have the highest rate of sexual assault reports across the five major colleges and universities across the state at 46 incidents. In a survey of 1,350 students, the Presidential Advisory Committee on Sexual Misconduct found that 82 percent of students had experienced some sort of unwanted sexual misconduct while at the university.

With staggering numbers such as those, it can begin to feel like the university isn’t doing enough to combat the rape culture that is so prevalent in Athens. When combined with the recent reports of Ohio University alumni Matt Lauer being accused of sexual misconduct, it begins to feel like it may be a longer standing issue then what we might think.

According to the PACSM, there are 10 goals the university wants to take on in the future. These include ideas such as:

- Developing and evaluating a systematic sexual misconduct prevention plan.

- Reviewing of current policy, training, education and prevention efforts directed toward faculty and staff.

- Increasing effort and resources to be provided to address the disparities in victimization rates for sexual and gender minorities.

- Greater work needs to be done to ensure that students are receiving and retaining information about resources on our campus to address sexual misconduct and relationship violence.

Clearly, the university has the right idea about what needs to be done. But to keep it from sliding under the radar, Ohio students cannot become numb and complacent. If we do not continue to speak up and ask for a change as a whole, the problems will either take longer to be fixed or never get solved at all. Here’s what you can do as a student:

  1. Go to a POWER/GAMMA event or a Better Bystanders workshop. Both are great workshopping activities for student orgs, and there are many ways to get involved in the programs themselves. Power begins with programming.
  2. Talk to Women’s Affairs at OU about their initiative to improve lighting around campus.
  3. Contact the university to be directed to who at that level handles the goals for PACSM, and talk to them about the importance of increasing the safety of this campus and changing the culture as a whole.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

938050
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

114924
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

92953
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments