Survivors of sexual assault face many obstacles when they are deciding, or have decided, to report their assault. They may feel lonely and like they’re getting lost in the bureaucracy of the process, or feel afraid to return to the place the assault occurred. This is especially true for college students, for whom these problems are compounded. Students who experience sexual assault on campus can be very fearful to return to campus, or may not want to pursue a report because they’re afraid they will fall behind in their classwork or of what will happen if their peers find out. Some schools are making large strides with their sexual assault prevention and response programs, hopefully setting the example for colleges across the country. Here are some changes that colleges may implement to create a safer and better environment for survivors of sexual assault:
1) Have more women employed in the positions that deal with campus crimes, such as the dean’s office or the campus police department. Administrative positions on college campuses are overwhelmingly male-occupied. Young men are also likely to be sexually assaulted in college, but statistically, women are almost twice as likely to be, and it would help to have people of both genders available in all steps of the process to make survivors more comfortable.
2) Promote the existence of victim advocates. Many people don’t know that there is someone available to them who can walk them through every step of the reporting process and will stay with them at all times. The idea of going to an authority figure to report an assault can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure what you’re in for or you think you’ll have to do it all by yourself, but knowing that there is someone to advocate for you may make it easier.
3) Create and enforce stricter consequences for perpetrators. A study done after the processing of a sexual assault case at Notre Dame found that the majority of women who know someone who has reported a sexual assault would not report an assault themselves, based on how the process affected their friends. They felt it was “not worth it” for the emotional distress that reporting caused and the lenient punishments that perpetrators of sexual assault received, such as a one-month suspension from classes. It’s important for schools to provide more positive responses and show that they are committed to the safety of survivors.
4) Be more accommodating to the survivor. Offer time out of class and away from campus activities without any penalties. Many colleges do this informally, but unless a leave is officially approved by administration, professors may choose not to honor it and will punish students for missing class or not allow them to make up assignments. Allowing survivors to take an approved leave would keep them from having to explain the details of their situation to professors in the hopes of having their absences excused.
5) Ask the survivor directly what he or she needs. Some may not want to be contacted by administration or campus counselors and victim advocates after a certain period of time, and some may be okay with being checked on, or will want to provide feedback on how their campus handled their case.
6) Host more programs dedicated to sexual assault prevention and awareness. The Clothesline Project and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes are great programs geared towards colleges that are open for anyone to participate in, and that show support while preserving anonymity and sharing stories about a variety of experiences.