One in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted during their college careers.
The statistics compiled by a Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll do not surprise Deborah Clubb, executive director of the Memphis Area Women’s Council, who said young people living on their own for the first time can contribute to sexual assaults on campus.
“They think they can do what they want whenever they want,†Clubb said. "Add drugs and alcohol, and it’s a volatile combination.â€
For the past five to six years, awareness of sexual assault has increased due in part to the involvement of the federal government, said Ryan Van Dusen, associate dean of students and student conduct at the University of Memphis.
“There were schools who were not doing anything about it or not investigating,†Van Dusen said. “The University of Memphis is making it very clear of our expectations for our students. We want to educate them so they will start asking questions and learning more.â€
The University of Memphis is educating students on the awareness and prevention of sexual assault on campus.
For instance, the University showed “The Hunting Ground,†a film about sexual assault on college campuses, and hosted a Take a Stand Day within the same week to help raise awareness.
“We had about 600 students take the pledge to not stand by and do nothing about sexual violence,†Van Dusen said.
One in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted during their college careers.
Sexual assault also is highlighted during new student orientation and in the residential halls on campus.
“At orientation, we divide the parents and students and explain consent,†Van Dusen said. “The orientation guides go into more detail with their groups. There have also been 20 plus programs led by residential assistants in housing so far this semester.â€
Students need to know the boundaries of consent in order to know where to draw the lines in behavior, Van Dusen said.
“Consent is a constant check- in because some things can be okay, but both parties need to understand the stopping point,†Van Dusen said.
When a student claims to have been sexually assaulted, police contact the Dean of Student Offices or the Office for Institutional Equity. Then, an investigation starts immediately, Van Dusen said.
“We let the victim know what resources are available,†he explained. “We may relocate them or change their class schedule. We do as much as we can to instill a sense of safety to the victim.â€
People who have experienced sexual assault show a variety of responses, said Dr. Lisa Winborn, a licensed psychologist for the Campus Counseling Center who helps sexual assault victims.
“Rape is a traumatic event,†Winborn said. “Some people shut down and some can’t remember exactly what happened. Some victims seem fine, while others are hysterical.â€
The University will continue to bring guest speakers and new events to campus for awareness and prevention.
“The conversation about sexual assault needs to keep going,†Van Dusen said. “We need to always be thinking about the next step.â€
