In Response To 'Dear DePauw, Your Campus Is Not Safe' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

In Response To 'Dear DePauw, Your Campus Is Not Safe'

We do not stop here.

55
In Response To 'Dear DePauw, Your Campus Is Not Safe'
Richard Potts / Flickr

After writing last week's letter to DePauw University I received an enormous amount of feedback concerning what I had talked about. While much of it was positive, I also received comments that I feel I should address.

One criticism was that the issue of rape and sexual assault is not just a DePauw problem, but an issue that is seen at universities across the nation. No, DePauw is not a safe campus, nor are there any truly safe university campuses. DePauw is only part of a much larger, national-scale issue that is incredibly prevalent everywhere, but as a student activist at DePauw, my role is to highlight the fact that our students are experiencing sexual assault on a regular basis. While we fight sexual violence on our own campus, we also want the public to know that this is a problem that affects students everywhere, and it is something that must be talked about.

Further, there have been people who deny that sexual assault is even an issue at DePauw and that what I write about isn't true. I invite those who hold this belief to talk to one of the hundreds of DePauw students who are survivors. Students are the ones who are immediately affected by rape and sexual violence, and we are the ones who see and experience the traumatization of someone else's actions towards us. We cannot and will not let anyone delegitimize our pain or the scope of this campus issue. I would not write about any of this every week if I were not convinced that campus rape, quite literally, can ruin lives. And for those that say it's not an issue because only a few students are affected, I respond that one person affected is one person too many.

In addition, while we as students still want to see these issues addressed more by the administration, I do want to acknowledge the faculty and staff at DePauw who are dedicated to partnering with students to address these issues. In order to fight a problem as huge and deeply engrained in our society, we need all the help we can get. For this, I thank those reading this who actively care about our safety and well-being.

Finally, if my article last week offended or shocked you, I do not apologize. The sentiments I expressed are not exclusive to me; I speak for all DePauw and university students who are tired of dealing with the threat of sexual assault every single day. Whether you agree or disagree with what I write, the purpose was to spark conversation, and my hope is that it succeeded. I want everyone to realize that there are so many students who suffer from sexual violence and we cannot let it continue any longer.

We will not stop advocating and fighting.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1015
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

613
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199705
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20587
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments