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The Indiana Daily Student

Alpha Epsilon Pi to continue sexual assault education programs

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After the sexual assault that was reported Oct. 15 at the Alpha Epsilon Pi House, the fraternity is planning to continue the different sexual assault education programs they have done in the past, said spokesperson of the fraternity’s national organization Jon Pierce.

Pierce said AEPi has a very clear and strict policy about respect toward everybody, men and women 
included.

“We do not in any shape or form condone sexual assault but also anything that makes people feel uncomfortable or is antithetical to our Jewish values,” Pierce said. “When there are incidents brought to us, we act swiftly.”

Pierce said continuing programming for sexual assault education within chapters is important to the organization, and members of AEPi are also educated on the topic during the organization’s international conventions and regional conclaves.

“We also have a number of our staff travel to meet with undergraduate chapters to talk about what our expectations are for behavior,” Pierce said.

Sexual assault counselor with Counseling and Psychological Services Debbie Melloan said sanctions like suspension or expulsion are in many cases placed on fraternity members who are found through the IU system to have committed sexual assault, but those fraternities should take the opportunity to have more discussions and programs about sexual assault and consent.

Fraternities who experience this could also try to discuss what might be missing in the recruitment process in terms of assessing who fits the example of what they want a brother to be, Melloan said.

Melloan said she thinks there is always more everyone could do in terms of addressing the issue of sexual assault.

“It’s an ongoing process, educating students about the different complexities connected to sexual assault,” Melloan said. “Bystander intervention is one piece, but there are other useful programs like ones that might look at topics like toxic 
masculinity.”

Melloan named Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault, a group of Interfraternity Council chapter members who aim to engage and educate men about issues and rape of sexual assault, as a good tool to educate fraternity men on topics like these.

“The bottom line is committing sexual assault is an individual thing and one person makes that choice, but I do think it’s important for fraternities to respond in appropriate and responsible ways when they’re aware a sexual assault has happened in their space or by one of their members,” Melloan said. “Whatever the consequences for them are should be different than a fraternity that tries to hide it or to silence a victim.”

Sexual assault counselor at CAPS Ann Skirvin said in an email fraternity leaders are put in a tough position when a member is accused of sexual assault, but they should prioritize the needs of the survivor and hold members who are found to have committed a sexual assault accountable by terminating their membership from the fraternity.

“I believe if fraternities kicked out problematic members with swift action, this would make a safer environment in the greek community,” Skirvin said in the email.

Skirvin said she is aware that the things she recommends fraternities do to address this issue could result in organizations getting in trouble, being put on social probation or having other long term consequences.

Skirvin said this creates what she would define as the binge/purge scenario of fraternities being better behaved while they are on probation, then binging with wild parties and more problematic behavior the second the sanctions are lifted.

“In my opinion, this is not resolving problems and reforming the system of accountability for fraternities and sororities should be explored,” Skirvin said.

Skirvin said fraternities often have lawyers or alumni advisers telling them what to do to stay out of trouble and protect the image of the organization, but do not prioritize what would improve the climate for members or guests of the chapters on campus.

“I think it is problematic to hold the whole fraternity responsible for the actions of a few members or nonmembers acting on their own against the values of the fraternity,” Skirvin said. “However, if the fraternity is creating an environment where sexual assault is encouraged, facilitated, made a condition of membership, or rewarded, then I think the entire fraternity should be held accountable with strong long-term consequences.”

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