Emily Schmidt

Professor Newberry
JRN 418
12 February 2015
Editorial: Sexual Assault on College Campuses
Everyone enters college receiving the same lecture about sexual
violence. Girls are told to never put their drink down and then pick it up
again in order to prevent someone from slipping something in it. Boys
are told that no means no, and maybe, never means yes about sex.
Everyone has to go through alcohol and sexual violence training before
they are allowed to enter their freshman year. Even though these
topics are reiterated over and over again into their heads by their
parents, teachers, and law enforcement, everyone has the same
thoughts. It will never happen to me. The problem is that in the college
community, sexual violence and assault happens more than anyone
thinks.
According to the Miami University Annual Security and Fire Safety
Report, there were thirty-six counts of forcible sexual offences that
occurred in 2013. Eighteen of these thirty-six forced sexual offences
occurred on Miami Universitys campus. The university has set up a
Title IX coordinator for student sexual assaults in order to serve as the
primary source of support for students who have been sexually
assaulted, stalked, or have dealt with domestic violence. Title IX is set

up to help with health treatments, help to report the offense, proceed

with disciplinary action, and to assist with support services. Rebecca
Getson, Miami Universitys sexual assault response coordinator,
described how they help, Everything we do is in addition to, not in lieu
of the criminal process.
The school has standards to move on with the case within 30
days of receiving a report, while criminal courts may take up to a year.
If the victim survivor decided to go through with charges, the
university will hold a hearing with two faculty members and one
administrator from a pool of trained staff. The staff is volunteers who
go through annual training. They will decide if the offender is
responsible or not for breaking the student code of conduct. If found
guilty of the charges, the university will recommend them for
dismissal, probation, or suspension from Miami.
Since drinking and hooking up is such a large part of the college
culture these days, sexual assault seems to be very common. Students
should review their code of conduct and know what qualifies as sexual
violence in order to prevent them from a situation that could get them
in trouble. If alcohol is involved and the victim survivor is too drunk to
give consent, then the offender is at fault, even if the offender is also
under the influence and has unclear judgment.
If you are a college student take into consideration these facts
the next time you go out. As much as everyone believes it wont

happen to him or her, it can. Have one less drink, be aware of your
surroundings, look out for your friends, and if you are in an
uncomfortable situation leave. If you feel yourself under the influence
and out of control, take yourself home and go to bed. Just make sure
you are in bed alone.