"As we recognize National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we are reminded that we all share the responsibility to reduce and ultimately end sexual violence. As a Nation, we must develop meaningful strategies to eliminate these crimes, including increasing awareness of the problem in our communities, creating systems that protect vulnerable groups, and sharing successful prevention strategies."

- President Donald J. Trump,The White House Office of the Press Secretary.

These words come straight from the mouth of none other than our 45th president, Donald J. Trump. I hope the irony is not lost on you. The man who currently is accused of assaulting or harassing more than 16 different women has proclaimed that April is now National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Let me remind you of the fact that he discussed how he was able to use his fame to force himself on women and grab them by the p***y. He boiled these statements down to nothing more than "locker room talk," but has repeatedly been quoted talking about women in a derogatory fashion or discussing his disgusting treatment towards them. His first wife Ivana accused Trump of raping her, and their divorce was settled based on the "cruel and inhuman treatment" towards her. Countless women as young as 14 years old have come forward accusing the president of the United States of verbally and sexually assaulting them on plane rides and at nightclubs.

But Trump "emphatically" denies all of these claims.

Just a few days after announcing this new awareness month, Trump was quoted defending Bill O'Reilly in an interview. In similar fashion, O'Reilly has been accused of sexual harassing Fox producers, verbally and sexually harassing women that have appeared on or worked for his show, and has even been accused of calling an employee and masturbating while on the phone with her. While advertisements are being pulled from his show and a settlement was given to five women adding up to $13 million (which isn't the first time he's paid off a woman), Fox News and our President still stand by this man. In an interview with the New York Times, President Trump was quoted saying that, "I think he is a person that I know well- he is a good person. I think he shouldn’t have settled; personally I think he shouldn’t have settled...I don't think Bill did anything wrong."

It's extremely problematic that of all people, President Trump declared April as Sexual Assault Awareness month. While some may argue it was done with good intent to shed light on a serious topic, it seems as though it isn't being taken seriously and is being used as a way to distract the public from his past wrongdoings. If a well known public figure was widely accused of sexual assault and harassment, the President shouldn't be defending him and saying he did nothing wrong just days into his own self-proclaimed awareness month. This sends the message that if you are powerful and famous, you can do no wrong. It shows that it is okay to say that we should "develop meaningful strategies to eliminate these crimes", but really do nothing about it. In Trump's presidency, looking like he is a good person and leader is more important that actually becoming one.

According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), 1 in 6 women, 1 in 33 men, and 63,000 children are sexually assaulted or abused each year. Only .6% of rapists will actually serve any jail time and often, it isn't even much time at all. Look at Brock Turner, the Standford student who raped an unconscious woman and only served three months of his six-month sentence. As a survivor of assault and harassment, these are incredibly painful and traumatic experiences that I would not wish on anyone. There is so much to be done to increase public awareness and conversation around sexual assault.

Form an activist group, have honest and open conversations with the people in your life, be an advocate, stand up for and protect each other, denounce the behavior of people like Trump and O'Reilly, call your state representative and try to get something more widespread started, share your story, or revolutionize the way we teach youth about sexuality, consent, and assault. Your ability to make a change is so incredibly large. Don't let our current Commander in Chief normalize sexual assault and harassment while hiding being a "national awareness month". Sexual assault and harassment is anything BUT normal or okay.

If you or anyone you know has been assaulted or harassed, please speak up. You are NOT alone. Call your local authorities (911). Talk to someone.

The Bloomington Police: (812) 339-4477

IU Police: (812) 855-4111