May 6, 2015
Page 7
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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student elections came to stand
for something more this year,
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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
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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-
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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
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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-
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out in an administrative setting
what occurred and then handle
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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.
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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
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sity Women.