Discussion about sexual violence on college campuses has received major media attention for several years – and, in particular, this past month. There are those who believe we should vigorously defend women’s rights to guarantee a safe experience on college campuses. There are those who believe the story provided in Rolling Stone magazine, now qualified as not entirely accurate, discredits future claims made by women. There are those who believe the pressure on Rolling Stone to qualify its story was a form of white, male privilege. There are those who believe the story, while inaccurate, serves a larger purpose and the inaccuracies are not important. There are many, many opinions.
What do I believe? I believe it is sad that women may be less likely to report future assaults because they don’t want a horrible occurrence to become front page news or political fodder. I believe what is happening at UVa takes the spotlight away from the real issues on college campuses of men and women, alike, failing to assume responsibility for their safety and for their actions. I believe Title IX, as the standard used by the federal government to require colleges and universities to have internal systems to deal with matters of sexual violence, continues to be used as a battering ram by threatening campuses with investigations if they cannot resolve issues of sex (and alcohol) among students on campuses and makes campuses fearful to speak out or appear on the list of offending schools in a McCarthy-type manner. I agree with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) who shared this past weekend, “Should a university be handling sexual assault? If it was a murder, would the University handle it? It’s like we’re saying sexual assault is not a crime.”
{mosads}I find it ironic that the University of Virginia suspended all fraternities and sororities on its campus following an incident that could not be verified yet did not suspend its men or women’s lacrosse programs – or athletic programs, for that matter – after a male lacrosse player killed his girlfriend while those around him knew of the volatile – and sometimes violent relationship – between the two of them. BUT UVa has suspended all fraternities and sororities on the campus for an incident that, when investigated by the University and fraternity initially did not find any credibility to the story. It is ironic that, at Thomas Jefferson’s University, students who belong to fraternities and sororities are not provided equal protection under the law as provided to them in the First Amendment – providing freedom to associate with whom they choose. I find it particularly striking that this is occurring the same time that President Obama is sharing , “When anybody in this country is not being treated equally under the law, that is a problem, and it’s my job as president to help solve it” (in reference to citizen-police conflict in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City). I find it concerning that the suspension – which extends to University sorority women – may likely have a chilling effect on future reporting by women as they now know such reporting may result in closure of their organizations.
And, I find it frustrating that college presidents and other administrators who call for personal responsibility among students as it relates to use of alcohol and consequences are shamed and told they are victim blaming.
When I go to bed each evening, I check to make sure my house is locked. When I pull up to the grocery store, I turn off and lock the car and go inside. I don’t leave keys in the ignition, car unlocked, with the car running. When I go shopping this holiday season, I keep hold of parcels – even if they’re heavy – rather than leaving them on a bench and returning to get them later. These are not unusual decisions to make. While my home may not be broken into at night and my car not stolen nor my parcels taken while shopping, I’m better safe than sorry and these few steps of personal responsibility are a small price to pay. If I fail to do these things, it does not mean I am “asking for it.” It does not mean that any theft is not a crime– it does mean, however, that inactions may have contributed to any loss suffered. It is about both personal safety and responsibility. I share these thoughts as a proud feminist and as a mother; I strive to teach my soon-to-be college student daughter that she is a very strong young woman and that she must assume personal responsibility now and when she goes to college and that if she is a victim of a crime, she has legal recourses.
Enough is enough. Sexual assault is a criminal issue and should be handled as such. Personal responsibility is a personal issue – not a political issue – and should be treated as such. Colleges and universities are about education – not serving as judge and jury in the world of rape (or sex) and alcohol. If schools are to educate about this issue – and they should – it should include education about personal responsibility. And to students – male and female – it is time to accept responsibility, make decisions that make safety more likely, report crimes of violence and, for offenders, face legal consequences. As a mother, I want to be assured that my daughter has the most legal protection that can be provided
Wiese, Ph.D. is a former university vice president and dean of students and is currently a partner and vice president in Plaid, a professional services firm that serves higher education and related organizations.