For one of my classes I am to pick a problem in our society and be an advocate. I chose a topic that I find very important- sexual assault and rape on college campuses.
For those of you who do not know much about this topic here are some quick facts:
- Among undergraduate students, 23.1% of females and 5.4% of males experience rape or sexual assault
- 1 in 6 college-aged female survivors received assistance from a victim services agency
o 72% of campus law enforcement agencies have a staff member responsible for survivor response and assistance
o 86% have a staff member responsible for rape prevention programming
- Only 20% of female student victims, age 18-24, report to law enforcement
- Successful rape convictions are extremely difficult to obtain due to lack of physical evidence
o Out of every 1,000 rapes, 994 preparators will walk free
- When Obama was president he required college campuses to follow strict guidelines that included:
o Colleges to respond to allegations more promptly
o The use of preponderance of evidence when determining whether a crime happened
- President Trump rescinded these guidelines allowing college campuses to complete an investigation under no time frame without the use of preponderance of evidence ultimately making it more difficult to put a rapist behind bars
I firmly believe action needs to be taken to lower these sexual assault and rape statistics.
In conclusion, I ask those of you who support my belief to sign this petition. By signing you are saying that you want President Trump to make changes to further, not limit, Title IX. Whether this be by providing more rape prevention and sexual assault survivor programs, training more law enforcement officials to investigate allegations and, if necessary, make arrests, or by increasing funds to further justice of those who deserve it.
