Title IX club brings sexual assault awareness to campus
By Lauren Fitch//Organizations Editor
Sexual assault on campus is a national crisis. Lately there have been more documentaries, national outcries and people speaking up about their experiences with sexual assault, which most recently culminated in the #MeToo movement, in which women have been taking to social media to open up about their experiences with sexual assault and sexual violence.
The problem can come from a misunderstanding of consent. The New York Post reported just last year that a new study found that men are generally confused about how consent works in sexual situations, which is especially a problem for young women. When we are still living in a society that excuses those who confuse sexual attraction with sexual consent, campuses need student led Title IX organizations to educate the student body. This past week, High Point University’s new Title IX organization did just that.
Sexual Assault Awareness Week is a national week that HPU’s Title IX organization brought to campus. The week kicked off what may become tradition at HPU. The week included a few days of giving out information, stickers, T-shirts and cookies at the philanthropy tables in Slane. During some of the time slots, the new Title IX director was at the table to answer students’ questions about Title IX or the Title IX process.
Tuesday night, the club hosted an Uncommon Grounds discussion that centered around sexual assault on campus and what to do if it happens to you or a friend and what you can do to help. A few students even shared their stories with the panel, addressing grievances or issues with the system and working with administrators to have a better understanding of what sexual assault is.
Much of this sexual assault epidemic stems from lack of awareness, and Sexual Assault Awareness Week works to bring these issues to light so that this becomes less of a problem for future generations.