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Huffington Post: Ending the Epidemic of Sexual Assault

By Sandra Fluke on May 14, 2014


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By Sandra Fluke, Savannah Badalich (Founder, 7,000 in Solidarity: A Campaign Against Sexual), and Kaya Masler (Graduating senior, USC; Director, Women's Student Assembly). Originally published in the Huffington Post.

The three of us have something in common. Each of us has had a very close look at the devastation caused by sexual assaults on campuses across America every day. We also each hold a deep appreciation for the power of student activism, because as students we have each spoken out, using diligent leadership to improve our communities.

This is National Women's Health Week: an opportunity to speak about the urgent need to end this country's crisis of university sexual assault. The numbers are nothing short of staggering. One in five women will survive a rape or attempted rape by the time she graduates college. That means of the approximately 966,000 women at the bachelor's degree level who will graduate this year, 193,200 will be survivors of rape or attempted rape while in college.

Women at college should be able to focus on their academic careers and building their lives, without fearing for their safety. Instead, students face an epidemic of violence. Our legislators and university leaders need to step up and immediately take action to prevent this violence. We must also remember that sexual violence doesn't happen to just women, and violence against anyone of any gender is unacceptable.

There are many necessary measures that universities must take to combat sexual assault. Survivors and allies across the country have spent years advocating for safer campuses, and as a result, leaders are taking notice. The Obama administration just announced its plan, which is a great first step. Legislators like Rep. Jackie Speier, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Claire McCaskill and others are leading the conversation in Washington, too. Here in California, Senators Hannah-Beth Jackson, Kevin de Leon and others are championing legislation. But as survivors and/or advocates, we know more must be done. We envision these crucial reforms in a three-pronged approach:

First, we must improve prevention efforts. To end this epidemic, schools need to focus on stopping assaults before they happen. It is clear from our experiences that many students hold dangerous misconceptions about consent. Students need ongoing support and education, with a focus on bystander prevention, peer-to-peer consent workshops and training on resources and reporting processes for survivors. We also need additional investment in campus campaigns. Right now, the onus is too often on students to keep themselves safe and implement important awareness programs. Instead, awareness efforts should receive full support and attention from faculty, staff and school administration across all departments.

Next, schools must adequately fund important resources for survivors of rape and sexual assault. Right now, many students who want to report assault face confusing systems, having to tell their stories multiple times to staff already burdened with large caseloads -- all of which could be improved with increased funding. Schools should prioritize the needs of survivors by fully funding mental health programs and clarifying reporting processes. Simple measures to increase the transparency of how to report a sexual assault are critical so students know they are going to be supported, not cross-examined.

Finally, universities need to hold themselves accountable, and if universities fail to do that, they need to be held accountable by lawmakers. Most colleges are currently not in compliance with the laws on the books designed to prevent sexual assault. If schools are in compliance, the school's approach tends to favor liability management over student safety. Schools should have rape shield statutes to protect assault survivors from character assassination, which sadly often occurs in hearings. Survivors should also be given options -- either an open hearing or a closed-door model -- and given adequate time to decide which path is best for their individual scenario. Finally, schools should publicly and explicitly demonstrate how they are in compliance with the laws designed to end sexual assault and protect survivors. If they fail to do that, we need our lawmakers to step up and find new ways to put pressure on schools to comply.

As student advocates who have fought to improve the lives of other students on our campuses, we know how powerful it can be to speak out on the issues that have touched us. Nearly 200,000 young women are going to graduate from college this year having been raped or as a survivor of an attempted rape. That is shameful and an absolutely unacceptable statistic. Everyone -- students, parents, administrators and elected leaders -- should be up in arms and demanding change. This National Women's Health Week, join us. Demand change. Demand an end to university sexual assault.

This post is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post in conjunction with National Women's Health Week, May 12-18. Read all posts in the series here. To learn more, please visit WomensHealth.gov.

 

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  • Sandra Fluke is a champion for California women and their families. She bravely spoke up on Capitol Hill in defense of contraceptive coverage and has been a tireless advocate in California on behalf of legislation like last year’s Abortion Access Bill (AB 154, Atkins). She is not only a pro-choice candidate, but part of a new generation of progressive leaders fighting for reproductive justice. In the Senate, Sandra will join a committed pro-choice majority. Endorsing Sandra was an obvious choice, because we know that she will be a champion and leader for reproductive rights in Sacramento. We’re so excited to help her get there.

    -Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

  • She is one of a fresh, new generation of feminists, and it is exciting to see her take this step in her political career. I know Sandra will fight in Sacramento for progressive values and change to better the lives of everyone in her district. I look forward to supporting her campaign from now until Election Day!

    -Gloria Steinem

  • Although I would have loved to have her as a colleague in Congress, the people of the 26th Senate District will be lucky to have Sandra fighting for them. Sandra will be able to create the progressive change in Sacramento that unfortunately Congress is unable to achieve in this political climate. This is a great first step for Sandra’s political career and I wholeheartedly endorse her for State Senate.

    -Congresswoman Janice Hahn

  • I am thrilled to endorse Sandra’s bid for State Senate. She is a true progressive leader who has already worked to pass important legislation here in California. As chair of the Education Committee, I know the importance of early childhood education, one of many issues Sandra has championed. Her future constituents will be lucky to have her be their voice in Sacramento.

    -Carol Liu

  • I’ve had the privilege of working with Sandra Fluke several times. I’m impressed with her expertise and eloquence. She is just the kind of advocate with a fresh perspective that we need in Sacramento. I’m confident Sandra will stand up for what is right to protect reproductive freedom, and she’ll be a strong voice as a leader from within a new generation of progressives. I’m proud to support her for election to the California Senate.

    -Sarah Weddington, Attorney who argued the Roe v. Wade case

  • I am pleased and delighted to endorse Sandra for the State Senate. Sandra and I have worked together on legislation to advance issues of gender equality and reproductive justice and as Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am proud to offer her my support.

    -State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid for California State Senate. Sandra is a strong, hardworking, and dedicated individual with an impressive passion for public service. She is a strong role model and is the right choice to fight for equality and progress in Sacramento.

    -Jennifer Siebel Newsom

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid to serve in the California State Senate. Sandra has long been a fearless advocate for women’s rights especially those of women veterans. I am confident that she will, with unwavering courage and endless commitment, continue to serve all who have served our country.

    -Kristen Kavanaugh, Chair, CDP Veterans’ Caucus, Committee on Women Veterans

  • During my 2012 campaign, Sandra came to Rochester and stood with me. I got to know her and I was deeply impressed with her willingness to fight for what she believed in. She remains a champion for women’s health, and has spoken out this year in support of equal pay and access to contraception. She also speaks out for issues that don’t get as much coverage: human trafficking, skyrocketing student loan debt and workers’ rights. I’m proud to support Sandra’s run for State Senate.

    -U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Ranking Member on the House Rules Committee

  • Sandra Fluke is a fighter, and I know she will make a real difference in the lives of her constituents. Sandra is an incredibly effective champion for the issues that matter to Angelenos. I’m impressed by the work she’s done for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as her legislative advocacy for worker protections and access to education. I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate.

    -Honorable Joy Picus, Former Los Angeles City Councilmember

  • I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate. From our water crisis, to fracking, to the region’s significant transportation challenges – we need an environmental champion in the State Senate fighting every day to protect our communities, and Sandra is that champion. Sandra is a pragmatic and experienced leader who will be a strong advocate for the environment.

    -Nancy Sutley, Former Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality

  • As a veteran and survivor of sexual assault in the military, I have learned that real strength is the courage to stand up in the face of adversity regardless of how tall the challenge may seem. I support Sandra Fluke because she has the strength and dedication required to represent women and veterans and will ensure that veteran issues are a top priority when she goes to Sacramento.

    -Kate Weber, Mom, Veteran, Advocate, Survivor. 2013 Veteran of the year by the California Democratic Party and Woman Veteran Leader of the Year by Cal Vet

  • In 2012 when I was running for Congress, Sandra came and stood with me. I got to know her as we campaigned together, and I was incredibly impressed by her commitment to California and her willingness to fight for change. Sandra is definitely never one to back down from a challenge! I’m proud to stand with her now and I fully endorse her campaign for State Senate.

    -Congressman Scott Peters

  • I’m endorsing Sandra’s run for California State Senate. She represents a new generation of progressive leadership and she’ll be a fresh voice in government. I’m standing with Sandra and I hope you will, too.​

    -Congressman Joaquin Castro

  • I am so happy to endorse my friend, Sandra Fluke! Sandra has been a strong advocate for social justice and the LGBTQ community. Even before she was known on the national stage, she co-founded a statewide coalition that passed legislation to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ people in family court, helping protect parents like mine. I know she’ll be a fighter for her constituents and she’ll bring to Sacramento a fresh perspective on progressive issues.

    -Zach Wahls, LGBTQ Rights Activist

  • I strongly admire Sandra’s public service on a number of issues and I am so excited for her to step forward and run for State Senate. Sandra Fluke will be an effective voice for her community and her generation.

    -Christine Pelosi, Chair, Women’s Caucus, California Democratic Party

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