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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2015)
May 6, 2015 Page 7 Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com. O PINION Speaking Up About Sexual Assaults at PSU Supporting the voices for change T ESSARA D UDLEY The discussion about sexual assault during Portland State University’s recent student body election may be an exception to the ev- er-present concern of student apathy. As a survivor of sexual assault, I have been watching the debate with concern and frustra- tion. The Portland Observer report- ed on the issue after a group of students showed up to protest the candidacy of a convicted sex offender who was running for student body president. The Van- guard, PSU’s student-run news- paper, interviewed the student who insinuated that the protests were an attempt to derail the good work he wants to do. True, he was a current leader in several black advocacy orga- nizations, but the problem was his criminal record and the need to support candidates who up- BY hold student values. According to Black Women’s Blueprint, 60 percent of black girls are sexually assaulted by the age of 18. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network states that survi- vors of sexual assault are six times more likely to suffer from Post-Traumat- ic Stress Disorder than the men, we rarely hear the same uproar for the abuse and viola- tion of black women. At this mo- ment, a former Oklahoma City SROLFH RI¿FHU 'DQLHO +ROW]FODZ is under house arrest pending his trial on charges that he sexually abused 12 black women over the course of two years, and yet the community is silent. It is in this climate that stu- sider, an award-winning spoken word duo; holding a march; and hosting a survivor Speak Out, providing a safer space for sur- vivors to share their experiences and feelings. In her speech, Sandmeyer said it was obvious that the value we place on some women is not equal; that certain forms of vio- lence are tolerated; and that the In her speech, Sandmeyer said it was obvious that the value we place on some women is not equal; that certain forms of violence are tolerated; and that the wrong message is then passed on to survivors. Statistics show this is a reality for black JLUOVDQGZRPHQLQ$PHULFDWRGD\ general population. And the Na- tional Institute of Justice reports that survivors of childhood sex- ual abuse were twice as likely to be re-victimized as adults. These are girls and women in our com- munity and they’re vulnerable. In all the coverage of police abuse and violence against black dents at Portland State chose to protest. During a tumultuous week at PSU, a Take Back the Night event made space for the voices for change by includ- ing a speech from Jackie Sand- meyer of the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force; hosting a performance from Sister Out- wrong message is then passed on to survivors. Statistics show this is a reality for black girls and women in America today. Both the PSU community and the larger community of Port- land are left grappling with some KDUG LVVXHV +RZ GR ZH SURWHFW our children? How do we shift our culture to respect women? How do we move beyond an in- carceration model to a preven- tion model? How do we end the cycle of violence? None of us has the answers, EXWRQHWKLQJLVFHUWDLQWKH368 student elections came to stand for something more this year, GHHSO\ DIIHFWLQJ D VLJQL¿FDQW portion of the students in a way that was more personal than ever before. One group of students is keep- ing the discussion going by cre- ating a Facebook page called Change the Narrative. (A state- ment about my own history as a survivor of sexual assault can be found there.) The students plan to keep speaking up about sexual as- saults at PSU, and in the black community, and it’s long over- due. Our community must uplift the voices of our most vulnera- ble populations; not just for one month, but all year. Sexual As- sault Awareness Month ended in April, but that doesn’t mean we should let the awareness end. We can’t afford to. Tessara Dudley is a poet and educator living in east Portland. Colleges Must Lead on Issue of Sexual Violence Addressing the challenges and solutions L ISA M. M AATZ Campus sexual vi- olence has been the subject of an intense national conversation recently, but that dia- logue often lacks criti- cal input from schools that are already taking steps to im- prove their campus climates. Col- leges and universities, it’s time for you to lead on this issue. So far, and with good reason, most of the attention has focused on schools that are under investi- gation for violating federal laws about sexual violence and on the survivors bravely sharing their VWRULHVDQGFDOOLQJIRUDFWLRQ<HW there are a number of schools that are working hard to address these challenges and to make real prog- ress on this issue, and we need to hear from schools that are priori- tizing prevention, response, and transparency and including stu- dents and survivors in all related initiatives on campus. BY Rampant sexual violence creates a campus climate that is hostile to students, and students can’t learn when they aren’t safe. Because campus sexual assault happens everywhere, everyone bene- ¿WVZKHQVFKRROVZRUU\OHVV about public relations and more about making campus- es safe. Part of the solution is for schools to create an envi- ronment where students feel comfortable reporting sexual violence. Schools can also lead by under- standing and complying with Title IX, the 1972 federal law that pre- vents sex discrimination in feder- ally funded education programs. Unfortunately, under the scrutiny of the national spotlight, some schools have criticized or even blamed the law for problems on campus. But Title IX is not the reason schools mishandle campus sexual assaults. Smart schools recognize that it is their all-important guide for upholding students’ civil rights in campus proceedings and pre- venting future violence on cam- pus. Title IX works, and it must be protected. Title IX requires schools to have a role in addressing sexual violence because they are best equipped to provide accommo- dations such as class schedule or housing changes, critical pieces of the sexual assault response it according to their established codes of student conduct, an- ti-discrimination policies, and federal civil rights law. These responsibilities under Title IX do not require schools Title IX requires schools to have a role in addressing sexual violence because they are best equipped to provide accommodations such as class schedule or housing changes, critical pieces of the sexual assault response that survivors may need to be able to complete their HGXFDWLRQ6FKRROVPXVWDOVR¿JXUHRXWLQ an administrative setting what occurred and then handle it according to their established codes of student conduct, anti-discrimination policies, and federal civil rights law. that survivors may need to be able to complete their educa- WLRQ 6FKRROV PXVW DOVR ¿JXUH out in an administrative setting what occurred and then handle WR VHUYH DV SROLFH RI¿FHUV SURVH- cutors, or judges. Schools do not decide whether a felony or mis- demeanor occurred for purposes of prosecution, and they cannot make plea agreements or impose criminal punishments. Those roles are, appropriately, left to the crim- inal justice system and can take place simultaneously if the sur- vivor chooses to involve law en- forcement. Title IX guidance clearly de- lineates between schools’ role and law enforcement’s role. ,I VFKRRO RI¿FLDOV WUXO\ GRQ¶W see how these separate paths can work together, many helpful re- sources are available through the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice and online at notalone. gov. The current national dialogue will be more productive if insti- tutional leaders join the conversa- tion — along with survivors, ad- vocates, and policy makers — and help end the epidemic of campus sexual violence. Many schools are missing the chance not only to keep students safe but also to impress on stu- dents, faculty, prospective stu- dents, and parents that their insti- tution is part of the solution. Lisa M. Maatz is vice president for Government Relations at the $PHULFDQ $VVRFLDWLRQ RI 8QLYHU- sity Women.