Wednesday, April 22, 2009
According to the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse, approximately 683,000 women are raped in the United States every year, which equals to 1.3 women being raped every minute. It is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and this statistic is just one of many reasons KU students should participate in the events being sponsored by various University groups.
Sexual violence isn’t a vague idea that affects only women of certain races or ages. It isn’t something that happens only in big cities or other countries.
Sexual violence takes many forms, including rape. It has left its mark on all genders, religions, ages, races, classes, but it primarily affects women. It happens in this community, in Lawrence, and on this campus. The goals of this month, of the Commission on the Status of Women, of The Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center, and of GaDuGi Safecenter are to raise awareness and to prevent sexual violence.
“It is vital to the public understanding of this issue that we have one month of targeted programming nationwide to drive the point home that not only is sexual assault still an issue in our society, but that it is also something that is oftentimes ignored,” said Tanner Willbanks, the Sexual Assault Awareness Coordinator for CSW. “This month is a chance for advocates and survivors to stand up and refuse to be swept under the rug any longer.”
To get involved, students can participate in the Pantyline Project which features students voicing their opinions about sexual assault on underwear art. They will then be displayed on Jayhawk Boulevard to reach as many people as possible.
Outside of this month students should continue to be aware and combat sexual assault.
“This means reporting any activity that constitutes assault. It also means changing people’s thought patterns about sexual assault and rape,” said Willbanks. “People need to understand that rape and sexual assault are never laughing matters.”
Students can also contact student senate officers to ask them to work toward promoting safety and awareness by increasing lighting off campus.
While you were reading this editorial, at least one woman was raped in the United States. There have been a series of connected rapes in Lawrence that started in 2004. Students should join the fight to prevent the statistics from increasing.
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Editorial: Sexual Assault Awareness month offers reminder of tragic statistics
I blame Hand Banana.
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