Approximately 16 percent of women living in the United States are reported to have been victims of rape, based on data from the Department of Justice. However, since rape victims often keep quiet about their experience out of fear and embarrassment, it's possible that this statistic is actually much higher. Recognizing how difficult it can be for rape survivors to speak out, Prevention, Awareness and Consent at Tufts (P.A.C.T) will hold its second Sexual Violence Community Forum tonight.
According to Tufts Sexual Violence Resource Coordinator Elaine Theodore, "We exist in a sexualized culture in which objectifying women is normalized; this makes it really difficult for both men and women to call each other out on their behavior." The Forum aims to help students overcome this difficulty in order to address issues that are rarely discussed in public but can seriously impact their personal lives.
The two-hour discussion, starting at 7:30 in the Metcalf Hall lounge, will highlight changes in on-campus policies involving rape and sexual assault. According to Theodore, the university's sexual assault policies are quickly evolving.
"So much has gone on since last spring. I think students will be pleasantly surprised with how much progress has been made," she said.
The event does not only seek to inform attendees about policy changes; it also hopes to educate them about the various forms of sexual assault. According to the Tufts Counseling and Mental Health Service's Web site, sexual assault isn't limited to unwanted intercourse; the term also includes the act of caressing another's breasts or genitals without explicit permission.
"For the most part, people are very unclear about what constitutes sexual assault and what doesn't. It's really concerning that some people only become aware of what happened to them when they hear other people talking about their own stories," Theodore said.
The event also seeks to empower attendees that are rape victims.
"Without exception, the survivor remains in a place of power when reporting. If an assault did occur, we want students to know that there are resources for them if it happened last night, last week or even last year," Theodore said.
The first discourse on sexual assault policies at Tufts was held last year. The event featured a panel of university officials including Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman, Judicial Affairs' Officer Veronica Carter and Medical Director Dr. Margaret Higham. According to Theodore, about 80 students attended the event.
"Last year, we had people in the audience who were survivors of violence and people who had no idea what was happening and were brought by a friend," she said.
Students are being encouraged to work alongside the university's deans to change sexual assault policies. "[The] students' role is critical; they are being listened to. Students can really see what's going on and [policy changes] aren't away from student's eyes and voices," Theodore said.
Sophomore Laura Panadero said she would like to learn more about regulations regarding rape and sexual assault.
"It would be interesting to hear the difference between the law and what Tufts' policy is," she said.
Erin Shanahan, a sophomore, believes that knowledge of Tufts' guidelines is essential to protect herself and her friends. She said that it is important to "understand the policy so if [a sex crime] happens to someone you know, you know what to do."
Sexual assault and rape, while not widely publicized, do occur at Boston-area colleges.
According to The Daily Free Press, Boston University's (BU) student newspaper, a BU student was allegedly sexually assaulted by a group of men at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology two years ago. The article's author wrote that this was the third reported sexual assault of a BU student during a two-month span. The two other incidents occurred near BU's campus: one was on a street a few blocks away from the campus and the other occurred in a dormitory's bathroom.
Fortunately, college students around the nation have taken matters into their own hands and formed groups designed to implement policy reform. Most notably, California Polytechnic State University has an organization known as the Student Assault-Free Environment Resource, which is devoted to examining its institution's sexual assault guidelines. The group also hosts several annual events, such as the "Run to Remember," "ReMEmber Week" and the "I Heart Consensual Sex Campaign," designed to raise awareness and money for their cause.
Ultimately, Theodore hopes that tonight's event will encourage both those who have been victimized by sexual assault and those who haven't to speak out.
"Everyone has permission to look out for one another," she said.
