My attempts to repress the memories of junior high school have been consistently hindered by male college students who refuse to transcend adolescence. In the course of a week, I have been sexually harassed and physically and psychologically intimidated on campus twice by groups of three to five males. On the first occasion, Feb. 20, three boys made rude remarks (such as "I can see up your skirt") as I entered the Indiana Memorial Union. They then followed me to the pay phone booths, shaking them violently and making menacing comments (such as "Show me your cunt") as I attempted to make a call. On the afternoon of Feb. 23, as I was walking to class, I was accosted near Woodburn Hall by a group of five males who whistled at me insistently. They followed me as I crossed over to the other side of the street and verbally harassed me ("That bitch is pretty hot" and "Why don't you suck my dick?") while attempting to push me into a bush. It is worth noting that the second incident occurred on a crowded walkway in midday, and no one batted an eyelash. I did not solicit this behavior in any way. I am fairly innocuous looking and keep to myself. I cannot imagine what caused these boys to single me out as a target of abuse, though I doubt that I am their first victim of harassment or their last. However, I was able to easily deter their behavior by reciprocating their hostility in the form of a shrill and unambiguously phrased command to leave me alone. The first group was dumbfounded -- their jaws dropped and they departed, sulking, like dogs with their tails between their legs. One boy ironically commented that it appeared their presence was unwelcome. The second group, though less shocked, was clearly taken aback, and immediately allotted me space on the sidewalk. One member remarked, in an almost wounded tone, that I'd called them assholes. These reactions, while rather comical, lead me to the disturbing conclusion that the boys' previous victims responded more passively. Perhaps this is due to female socialization which encourages women to be non-confrontational and, however counterintuitively, to assume personal responsibility for unsolicited negative attention. There is no concrete, easily-implemented solution to campus misogyny, but it can be actively discouraged by students. The most effective action to be taken on the part of victims is humiliation, rendered at a pitch that will draw attention to the situation. This makes the aggressor(s) look far more foolish than the victim, and more over, it gives them the message, in no uncertain terms, that their behavior will not be tolerated, and that their selected victims will not quietly submit to victimization. It should go without saying (in theory) that the appropriate response of witnesses to harassment is verbal intervention. Sexual harassment combined with physical/psychological intimidation is a step removed from rape. It is, to varying degrees, endemic to campus life and needs to be acknowledged as a serious societal problem.
Siobhan Reardon -senior
