College Sex Crimes

INTRODUCTION

1. Florida State University (FSU) has a lacks consent skills among its student population, specifically ages 17-24. The prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, whether at football games or nightclubs, is alarmingly high and demands immediate attention. It's crucial for the FSU community to confront this issue head-on, as raising awareness about sexual assault is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of all students.

2. A startling reality emerges when considering the statistics of sexual assault on college campuses. Nationwide, 1 in 5 women experienced completed or attempted rape. As a resident advisor from 2021-2024, the duty to ensure residential safety and wellbeing peaked as I was impacting the lives of over 1,000 students, meaning that potentially 100 female students experienced sexual assault during my tenure. Overall, there is an absolute lack of accountability from the congregation, and as a community, we must do better by acknowledging and addressing the challenges women face in American society.

3. This dark statistic becomes even more troubling when we recognize the reluctance within the community to properly discuss and address sexual assault. For example, the case involving Jameis Winston, where the victim, Kinsman, discouraged from pursuing her police investigation was told "life could be miserable if she pursued the case," highlights the tendency to avoid this uncomfortable topic.

The most concerning aspect of this issue at FSU is the apparent consensus among various groups – including the administration, faculty, staff, student organizations, and political bodies – to minimize or ignore the prevalence of sexual assault. Furthermore, in a national survey, "Forty percent of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to police in 2017, but only about 25% were reported to police in 2018." The sweeping under the rug is obvious and is a nationwide problem. FSU makes it clear that they don't care about all their victims equally.

This culture of silence not only perpetuates the problem but also hinders efforts to provide a safe and respectful environment for all students. It’s time to change this narrative and take definitive steps towards creating a campus where every student feels secure and valued.

Sculpted by Michelangelo, we see Virgin Mary holding a dying Jesus. The vulnerability of Jesus in this sculpture mirrors the vulnerability of survivors who courageously come forward to share their stories. It underscores the importance of creating an environment where survivors are heard, validated, and empowered to seek justice and healing.

Beyond statistics and case studies, the emotional toll of sexual assault reverberates throughout the FSU community. Survivors grapple with trauma, fear, and a sense of betrayal, while bystanders navigate feelings of guilt, helplessness, and uncertainty about how to intervene effectively. These invisible wounds deepen when met with institutional indifference or disbelief. 8. The pervasive nature of sexual assault underscores the urgent need for comprehensive education on consent, boundaries, and bystander intervention. It is not enough to react after an incident occurs; proactive measures must be taken to prevent sexual violence and create a culture of accountability and respect. 9. As members of the FSU community, we have a moral obligation to confront this issue with courage and compassion. By breaking the silence, challenging harmful norms, and supporting survivors, we can begin to dismantle the systems that perpetuate sexual violence on college campuses.

WORKS CITED

https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/25/us/florida-state-fsu-settles-jameis-winston-rape-lawsuit/index.html

https://www.nsvrc.org/resource/criminal-victimization-2018

https://www.nsvrc.org/resource/2500/national-intimate-partner-and-sexual-violence-survey-2015-data-brief-updated-release