Cuts to Middle Way House harmful for IU students

Reading the article “IUSA Redistributes Rape Crisis Fund” made me wonder what the actual purpose of the IUSA was. I went to their Web site and found this: “IUSA is a congregation of Indiana University students that work to protect student rights, enrich student life, and improve Indiana University.” In keeping with this, you might assume they make decisions with the best interests of IU students in mind. This is not the case.\nIUSA’s decision to cut the funds donated to Middle Way House by 75%, instead giving that money to IU’s Office for Women’s Affairs, is one that will negatively impact IU students. Middle Way House has been providing essential services to the IU community for years. Their On-Scene Advocate Program provides around-the-clock assistance to rape victims immediately following a sexual assault, while their support groups provide long term support for those trying to deal with the aftermath. Their Legal Advocacy program provides legal assistance to survivors of sexual assault. Middle Way House also provides public education presentations throughout the community. Their Rape Prevention Program is exemplary, engaging participants in discussions on perceptions and attitudes of our society towards both sexual assault victims and perpetrators, consequences of sexual assault, and community resources available to survivors.\nThe Office for Women’s Affairs, although an important office, simply does not have the infrastructure to provide all of the services needed. Education is important, but much more is needed by the IU community. It makes no sense to take money away from an organization providing a full spectrum of services, simply to give that money to an organization providing only one facet of what is needed. Since the majority of rape victims Middle Way House assists are IU students, cutting funds to Middle Way House will have a harmful impact on the IU community.