The MFJS Reporter — Winter 2020 T-R

It has been 48 years since Title IX was passed in order to protect all members of a college campus from sex-based discrimination and demanding accountability, but there is still a presence of sexual assault on college campuses nation wide. 

Daisy Scarvelle, a sophomore at the University of Denver (DU), commented on the presence of sexual assault at DU. 

“On campus it is a problem,” Scarvelle said. “When you get such a large mixing pot of people without adequate information it can be really dangerous. It is important to respect each other. To treat each other with empathy, with humanity, not like objects, and people don’t always remember that.”

In response to the issue of sexual assault on college campuses an Instagram account entitled, “wecandubetter”, was created in order to allow DU students who have experienced sexual assault and harrassment to anonymously share their stories. 

“I think it was a really good idea because every movement starts with exposure,” said Bronte Cochran, a Senior at the University of Denver. “Exposure is what is important and the account has created a community for a lot of people who feel like they are being heard.” 

Cochran has seen the impact social media has when it comes to spreading a message.

 “Social media is the quickest way to get the information out to people and the accessibility is what’s important about it,” she said. 

As survivors continue to share their stories, showing respect and belief in their words has been pushed heavily by both organizers and supporters of the account. 

Gianna Dallman, a Sophomore at the University of Denver, due to her own experiences with sexual assault at DU, speaks on behalf of the survivors. 

“Respect survivors’ amount of proof that they have, don’t ask for more,” Dallman said. “Don’t make someone feel bad because they don’t have the exact materials or information you need to assist and support them, no situation is perfect, especially for the victim.” 

Overall, sexual assault is still a reality despite many social media movements to raise awareness about the issue and to help combat it. But suggestions such as wide-spread education, have been called upon in order to follow words with action. 

“There should be a lot more time spent on what sexual assault is, how verbal harassment works,” Dallman said. “We don’t talk about things like what boundaries are, how consent is sober, basic stuff. We are in college this needs to be drilled into our brains. It is happening to everyone and everyone needs to become far more educated. It is a tough subject and it should not be taken lightly.”