You get your acceptance letter, you pay your deposit and you choose your dorm. You fill out all the documents and paperwork necessary and you are ready to attend college. Orientation was a blast and you are acing all your exams and projects because let’s face it: it's Drexel and you have your first quiz Friday of Week 1.
You are taking Univ 101 and have to complete those long-ass modules on drinking, partying and sexual assault. But you forget all about it when the girl from down the hall comes running to your room with an invitation to Greenlight! Yay, party.
Many college students are unaware of “The Red Zone.” It's the time of the school year when the risk of sexual assaults and harassment is bigger. It encompasses the weeks between freshman orientation and Thanksgiving break.
Women going to college for the first time are exposed to new things. They are completely independent for the first time, they are in a new environment, living without a parent who will tell them what to do and when to come home at night or on the weekends. It is easy to spot a freshman and not because of the lanyard around his/her neck, but because of the lost look on their faces.
Colleges focus put a lot of effort into educating freshmen on the subject on how to prevent these situations. The problem here is that we are blaming the victim. We have seen so many campaigns where women say that instead of teaching them how to prevent rape, they should teach people how not to rape.
Last week, Lady Gaga posted a very graphic and explicit video on sexual violence. It shows the different possible scenarios and ways rape can occur. It also shows the aftermath of these traumatic events and how important the support of friends and family is.
Many people argue that fighting the rape culture is easy: if we educate women on how to prevent sexual harassment by dressing appropriately, drinking responsibly and acting in the right way. Even freshmen introductory classes focus a lot on these things when they should focus more on educating young men (and even women) what consent means, and how a “no” needs to define if a sexual act is going to occur. No means no even if both of you are completely naked in bed.
We are the ones who should be responsible for eradicating sexual violence. It’s On Us is a great organization that is working towards this goal and you can be part of it. Take the pledge and recognize sexual violence and intervene when you have to.
Educate yourself on what to do when a friend tells you what happened or what to do if you witness a violent act like this. Join organizations that support the end of sexual violence and learn what consent means.
And if you are a victim, know that you are not alone and that you can seek for help and support in many ways! We are here for you, and we will do the impossible to prevent these things from happening.
