It’s in the newspapers. It’s on the bulletins in college dorms. It’s in court rooms. However, you never heard of it among your peers or in the classrooms. It’s something so important that policy makers and journalists are debating on it every day. But it’s also so insignificant that nobody around you ever seemed to be bothered.
Sexual assault is a serious and pervasive crime. Unfortunately, too often it’s happening without the public or even the victim realizing it. Recent study shows that one in five women will be sexually assaulted while in college. The lack of awareness and support system resulted in a large number of assaults unreported and many victims living in trauma. The personal and social damages of one sexual assault in college, if calculated in monetary terms, can cost millions of dollars. But no money can buy a different past or a different future for the people involved.
As the nation pays increasing attention to issues such as sexism and domestic violence while investing more money to create safer campus environment, the change will happen faster if every student takes the responsibility to educate each other. Every time a student watches out for friends or stands up against suspicious behaviors, he or she not only prevents one accident, but also reinforces a new social norm.
IT’S ON US has partnered with numerous organizations and received pledges from individuals who are committing to change. We are calling more campuses to join us and promote this initiative. April 3rd to 9th is our Week of Action for spring 2016 celebrated by students throughout the nation. There are many ways to get involved. You can sign up to host our event in your community or organize and register your own event to as part of the Week of Action.
It’s on us to stop the sexual assault. It’s on each one of you to make a difference on your own campus.
Target audience: college students
Goal: increase awareness and interest of participation
Call to action: join the Week of Action and start advocating changes
hana 