It's very clear that Miami University is struggling with sexual assault, especially recently. Just so far this semester, we have had five assaults reported. The semester began on August 27th. This is despicable. I asked some students for their opinion about these horrific things occurring at our university, and these are some of the responses I got.
"I think that the recent high frequency has created a new and scary norm for Miami students."
I've noticed this exact thing while talking to other students. This is so not OK. When mentioning sexual assault to other people, you would expect a shocked reaction. This isn't the case at Miami anymore. They usually respond with "Again?" or "I'm not surprised."
"It's frustrating to me that it doesn't seem like much is being done about it."
I've heard this from a lot of different students. Whenever an assault is reported, all Miami personnel receive a Safety Bulletin email such as those pictured below. That's usually the last most students hear about it.
"Personally, I haven't even reported my rape. I don't see the point. Nothing will get done about it."
This actually breaks my heart. The fact that we live in a world that makes this person feel this way is gut-wrenching.
"I'm terrified to walk home alone at night. We shouldn't have to worry like this. This is a college campus and we live here. I don't feel safe in my own home."
So many people, primarily women, are scared to walk alone at night. This is a very real and smart fear to have. Try not to walk alone, but if you must, try to have a way to protect yourself. Some examples are mace, a pocket knife or anything that could cause harm to another if you were in danger.
"I told the authorities about my rape. My rapist was found guilty and was only suspended for one semester."
Only being suspended seems like the perpetrator is getting off way too easy. If the punishment isn't intense enough, why would perpetrators continue to sexually assault people?
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Also recently, a groundskeeper here at Miami, Brandon Levi Gilbert, was accused of raping and sexually assaulting a 21-year-old female student. Gilbert is being held on $75,000 bond. The man attacked the suspect and punched her many times in the ear. He also held her down and instructed her to shut up. The suspect is suspended from his job without pay. You can hear more about this horrific crime here.
These things cannot continue to happen. Something must be done about these terrible attacks and all the fear that surrounds sexual assault. I hope that Miami can take a stand and work together to fight back. President Gregory Crawford sent an email recently surrounding the subject of sexual assault. The email ended with this quote:
"It will take a shared, united focus to prevent these destructive acts of aggression and violence in our university community. We must look out for each other, be active bystanders, and foremost, treat each other with the love, honor, and respect that all of us are due."
We must unite together to fight back and stop these assaults from occurring. We have the power to get this under control.
