Terminate Rape on the College Campus

by Victoria Kobayashi ‘15

            One in five American women is raped during their lifetime says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

            On Friday, September 19, 2014, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden initiated the “It’s On Us” campaign challenging the world to expel sexual assault from college campuses.  By taking the pledge on the “It’s On Us” campaign Website, people vow to take action against sexual abuse, stand up for rape victims, and intervene on an atypical situation that has the possibility to lead to non-consensual relations. 

            According to the Washington Post, President Obama called campus rape “an affront to our basic humanity.”  Obama asks for help from everyone including “the captain of the basketball team” and the “drum major and the band.”  President Obama said in his press conference, “And this is a personal priority, not just as a president, obviously, not just as a husband and a father of two extraordinary girls, but as an American who believes that our nation’s success depends on how we value and defend the rights of women and girls.” 

            In May of 2014, a report, divulged by the United States Department of Education, presented fifty-five colleges and universities under federal investigation for the improper handling of sexual assault cases.  Some of the colleges and universities include but are not limited to Harvard College, Vanderbilt University, and Ohio State University. 

            On September 28, 2014, as a result of the “It’s On Us” campaign, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a sexual assault bill titled “Yes Means Yes.”  The bill requires consent for sexual activity, defining consent using the definition passed by the California State Senate.  The California Senate defines consent as “an affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.”  The legislation calls for training of those who review the accusations at hand in order to avoid inappropriate questioning of alleged victims.  The bill requires access to counseling, health care services, and other resources. 

            The main purpose of the “It’s On Us” campaign is to raise awareness of the crucial problem of sexual assault on college campuses.  The campaign also focuses on the way these colleges and universities are going about dealing with such issues.  Another focal point of the movement is to achieve a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual assault of young men and women attending colleges and universities.  Lastly, the campaign strives to encourage males to participate in the talk about and action against sexual assault. 

            The “It’s On Us” campaign has enlisted the help and partnering of corporate organizations as well as celebrities who have a large impact all around the world.  Among the organizations that have partnered with the campaign include EA Sports, iHeart Radio, MTV, NCAA, and Tumblr, along with others.  Celebrities helping in the campaign include Kerry Washington from the television series Scandal, Jon Hamm from Mad Men, as well as multiple others. 

            According to Vice President Joe Biden’s official Twitter, “You have an obligation to intervene when you see violence taking place.”  Hundreds have already taken the pledge and are making a difference to stop sexual assault on college campuses.