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The Red Zone and Other Facts About Campus Rape

By Sandra Fluke on September 18, 2014


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The "Red Zone" and Other Facts About Campus Rape

It’s the time of year called the Red Zone: the weeks between new student orientation and Thanksgiving break when college students are at the greatest risk of sexual assault. According to statistics, one in five women will be sexually assaulted while she’s at school — usually by someone she knows — and a disproportionate number of those attacks are happening right now.

Several factors contribute to this disturbing trend. First year students are meeting new people and trying new things. Many of them are newly independent, living without parental support for the first time. And, they’re in a new place, adjusting to an unfamiliar and often bigger environment. 

A first year student at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington put a fine point on it: "Since we're in a new place, we're all really vulnerable and uncomfortable with our surroundings for a while. People can tell if someone's a freshman."

We should not accept this as the status quo; it doesn’t need to be inevitable. Our friends and sisters entering college shouldn’t have a target on their backs. And, I don’t need to tell you how damaging sexual assault is for survivors. You know that rape is traumatizing, probably through personal experience or because someone you love was assaulted. It breaks my heart that this has happened to people I care about, and that it will happen thousands of times between now and Thanksgiving. But, I want to tell you this is not a problem without a solution. This is not someone else’s problem. This is our problem, and we can solve it.


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ILLUSTRATED BY SYDNEY HASS.   
Awareness

The epidemic of sexual assault at colleges has gotten more attention over the past year, but many schools still haven’t implemented adequate changes to improve the situation. For example, the first step to preventing sexual assault should be to improve education and awareness, but more than 30% of schools do not provide any sexual assault education to their students.

Incoming students need to be educated immediately about sexual assault. That education process should be mandatory for all, including clearly defining consent, bystander responsibility, and how to report an assault. Students should be given instruction on how to make their communities safer, such as telling bystanders how to help fellow students in need. Simple information on how and where to file a report is critical, and so is the process for reporting and assurance that action will be taken when a report is filed.
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ILLUSTRATED BY SYDNEY HASS.
Support

After education, the second step is support. Survivors of sexual assault need to know they are not alone. They need to know what to do, where to go, and who they can talk to. And, when students talk, appropriately trained faculty and staff need to be there to listen. More than 20% of schools do not provide sexual assault response training to their faculty and staff, which means sexual assault survivors have to navigate an unclear system that might humiliate and hurt them all over again.

Stories run rampant of complete failures by schools to have a proper investigation process: A student from the University of Southern California said, “The school did everything it could to dissuade me from talking about being raped and asking for help.” 

“There are parts of me that wish I didn’t go through this process because I feel like I’ve gone through a lot of re-victimization and re-traumatization. I also feel like it’s something that needs to be talked about,’’ recounted a student at Occidental College.

Reports and testimonies from survivors across the country often describe a system that is cold, secretive, and unpredictable. This is outrageous and students deserve better.
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ILLUSTRATED BY SYDNEY HASS.
Enforcement

The final step is enforcement. A University of California at Berkeley student who reported being raped on two occasions by a classmate said, "It was very clear people on the panel did not understand sexual assault...or the law.” The university found the assailant not guilty, and declined to grant the survivor an appeal. "I felt alone and helpless...It kind of made me feel like the university was okay with the fact that it happened to me and was just kind of putting on a charade."

Colleges and universities are legally required to investigate all reports of sexual assault — but more than 70% of schools have no set protocols for coordinating with law enforcement. Students should feel secure knowing that if they go through the often complex and humiliating process of reporting, something will be done to hold their assailant accountable.

How You Can Help

Rape is the most frequent violent crime on college campuses — that is appalling. But, there are efforts nationwide to solve this crisis.

U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Kirstin Gillibrand just introduced a bill — the Campus Accountability and Safety Act — that would require colleges and universities receiving federal funds to administer campus-wide, annual, confidential surveys to determine the true number of sexual assaults that happen on campuses. I also would like to see Congress consider requiring that colleges better educate their students, make students aware of reporting on their campus and properly support students who do come forward.

And, we should also demand accountability at the state level. Many schools are in a state system, so state governments can and should hold universities accountable. California, often a national leader for progressive causes, outlined several recommendations in a recent audit of sexual harassment and sexual violence on its university campuses — in my opinion, all of them should be passed into law — in hope that other states will follow its example.

Recently, the California Legislature passed a bill, authored by State Senate pro Tem Kevin de Leon and State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, to define consent and change the culture of rape on campus — frequently called the “Yes Means Yes” bill. This bill is waiting for Governor Brown’s signature, and if signed, it will be the first of its kind in the country. 

We can stop this epidemic by working together and demanding accountability on every level. Let’s tell the U.S. Senate to pass the Campus Accountability and Safety Act immediately, and call on states to take action by auditing their schools and creating swift action plans to implement improvements based upon the findings. Let’s stand together and send a message: It is time for colleges to step up and protect the women we care about. It is time to stop sexual assault on campus. 

Sandra Fluke is a lawyer and women’s rights activist to rose to the national stage in 2012 when she spoke before Congress about the need for insurance companies to cover birth control. She is running for State Senate in California’s 26th District.


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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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