IU must continue talking about sexual assault

IU-Bloomington is undergoing a federal investigation for its handling of sexual harassment cases as part of a nationwide effort to improve how college campuses respond to sexual assault.

Contrary to initial reports, this investigation is not random. Education department spokeswoman Dorie Nolt said information from parents and advocacy groups, statistical data and other forms of information sparked an investigation at IU “to remedy possible violations of students’ rights.”

This type of investigation is exactly what IU and colleges around the country need.

I am proud to go to a school that usually treats sexual assault seriously and a school that had Slutwalk and a surge of anti-sexual assault programs in anticipation of Little 500. Our freshman orientation features an anti-sexual assault segment, and we have a 24-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Service at the IU Health Center.

The Indiana Daily Student has made reporting instances of sexual assault and rape a priority. But despite the number of resources IU already has available, we have to keep talking about it. We have to keep working towards a solution.

The national statistics are pretty bad. For women, they’re worse, but college men are also victims of sexual violence. Ultimately, though, the exact statistics don’t even matter. For example, IU is only obligated to report rapes on IU-owned property and many go unreported. One sexual assault of an IU student is already too many.

The good news is not only are college campuses becoming more accountable, the White House is also getting involved. Last week, it released a video featuring the president and a string of male celebrities speaking about preventing sexual assault.

The way to prevent sexual assault is to stop it at the source, and the majority of sources are men. But this is not a men vs. women issue, a stance that simultaneously insults both sexes. It’s an issue of rape vs. not rape. We need to work through the stereotypes “boys will be boys” who can’t help themselves, women are either helpless victims or at fault for the way they dress and the idea it is always women who are raped. None of these are true.

The White House video was an amazing step to defeat these stereotypes. Even James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, took part in the video, proving you can still be the height of masculinity and care about sexual assault. 

IU’s pre-Little 500 “Don’t Rape” program for men was another step in the right direction. It was a much more effective method than just telling girls to watch their backs and carry pepper spray. 

I hope the current investigation does not reveal IU mishandled any sexual assault cases, but I recognize the importance of such an investigation. As long as sexual assaults are still happening, there is a need for preventative programs, treatment for victims and overall awareness.

It’s about time schools are accountable for incidents of sexual assault.

­cjellert@indiana.edu
@cjellert