Recently Baylor University has made headlines for the mishandling of students' sexual assault accusations. I had seen posts about it and heard rumors, but it was after reading "Dear Baylor: It's On Us" from fellow Odyssey writer Marina Gallop that I started to really do my research. At first I was skeptical. "There's no way. Surely outsiders are just casting stones at my beloved university," I thought.
I was ignorant to the truth and weight of this matter until a few days ago when I read this intensely saddening and vivid account of just what so many have dealt with in regard to rape at Baylor and how justice and peace have been all but impossible to find for victims. (PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, read this! I don’t care if you even finish my article, but I implore you to read every word of her story.) I was horrified at the reality of what has been happening with numerous beautiful, incredible, innocent girls while at Baylor, and all over our country and world. This article and video from ESPN Outside the Lines outlines a few “popular” rape cases and gives another chilling account of what has been going on. Again, I was at a loss for words and immediately wanted to do whatever I could to make an impact.
Still, days after reading through all of this and more, I am nearly in a state of unbelief. It blows me away that such a sensitive and unacceptable issue isn’t being properly addressed--that so many feel unheard, ignored, and unsettled with justice or righteous retribution for their trauma. I can only imagine what it feels like to not only have gone through sexual assault, but the aftermath, regardless of how things go well or not when bringing it to authorities.
Though I am extremely upset about this systemic problem, I do not condemn Baylor. They have worked to hire a Title IX coordinator, educate the student body, and encourage others to come forward; however, these things are not enough. They cannot stand in for the continued problem that has remained unchanged. The blame cannot be pinned on our president or any one person. It’s a problem with the system as a whole and is something that is going to take time and diligence to alter and make right. As any self-help program would likely say, the first step in solving a problem is admitting that it exists. The community as well as the particular people affected deserve apologies and to be heard and valued. Their bravery is what has sparked the fire that will surely lead to reform and reparation, so this cannot be swept under the rug anymore.
On Friday February 12, 2016, Baylor's Board of Regents approved a plan to try to address sexual violence on campus. The plan includes hiring more counseling staff to ensure victims can receive counseling on-campus and enhancing, annual Title IX education for all students and staff, and "strong measures to immediately address the needs of students who prompt a Title IX investigation, ensuring that those who report...can continue their education without impediment," says the university. After reading through the email, it sincerely seems like they want to see things get better, though only time will show if cases are handled how they should be in the future. Improving the availability of counseling is a great change, but the way victims have been treated and how their cases have been dealt with remain unaddressed.
Please share this article (and others about this), be engaged and aware, and continue to press for change and intentional dialogue about this intolerable issue. Now that Baylor has taken a spot on the national stage in sports and controversy, change here could be what it takes to bring widespread change to other universities.
If you're interested, this page contains a letter to Baylor as well as the links I’ve cited and other resources and articles regarding this issue. (Thanks again to Marini Gallop for originally making me aware of this page.)
I hope and pray for a world where sexual assault is seen as a distant occurrence; where “do not rape” isn’t a necessary statement; where there is no fear in walking alone at night; where justice, peace, and reconciliation are fully restored to victims by those who protect them.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
