I have a friend whose outlook on safety in Nebraska changed a few months after her arrival. She attended classes, joined organizations and had a great social life. During Thanksgiving break she stayed in Lincoln with a friend. They went to a birthday celebration the night that classes were out. As the party went into the night, she started to feel weird. She asked the friend -- a male -- to take her back home. He did. An hour later she found herself unable to move and her "friend" climbing on top of her.

The doorbell rang. It was her roommate who was texting her while she was at the party, and received a text that said, "I'm kind of dizzy, I'm gonna be pissed if I got roofied. lol". After not receiving a text message back for 20 minutes, she drove 30 minutes from Crete to check on her. A decision that turned the night in a completely different direction. After finding her friend paralyzed in the bed of the former friend, now perpetrator, she notified the police. He was arrested and her friend went to counseling and moved back home. Had the friend not had the instinct to move on her suspicion, the night could have ended differently. 

Although sexual assaults happen in many different scenarios, accounts such as these are often overlooked. Attention is, now, being given to assault cases at various universities. Although giving something attention isn't solving the problem, it is a good start.  As leaders on campus, and a community which strives to uphold the values of our universities and chapters, it is important for us to claim a direct role in preventing sexual assault. Sexual assault is a community issue. Not just a personal one.

As college students, we have an immense amount of power. Shifting the culture of a large community, such as our institution, is exactly what we do without realizing it. Making a choice to stand against sexual assault is a culture shift that is best for the community, for the short and long term. 

Sexual assault can happen to anyone, man or woman. Recognizing when it could happen and acting in time could prevent an incident from happening. Although there is no easy way to immediately eradicate sexual assault on our campus, there is a way to begin the process. #Itsonus is a campaign that seeks to raise awareness about sexual assault through social media. Accessing their website, itsonus.org, shows you about their mission and asks you to take a pledge stating your stance against sexual assault. 

Taking a stand against sexual assault on campus is a part of our duty as students and leaders on this campus. Take the pledge with me. #itsonus to realize that we can make a difference. 

itsonus.org