More than 23.6 million people in the United States are survivors of sexual assault and rape, according to the Joyful Heart Foundation.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and both Elon University and Elon Feminists for Equality, Change and Transformation (EFFECT) dedicated the week of April 10 as their third annual Support Survivors week. The week is designated to both imagine a campus free of sexual assault and demonstrate EFFECT’s alliance with victims of sexual violence.
“Victims of these crimes are often dismissed as having brought these attacks on themselves by drinking too much, or wearing revealing clothing that tempted the perpetrators of these crimes,” said sophomore Noah Rossen, a women’s gender and sexuality studies minor.
On April 12, the Department of Health Promotion, SPARKS Peer Education, SPACE, Elon Feminists, I Am That Girl, Alpha Chi Omega, CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response and Resource Center and Family Abuse Services put on the Walk Against Victim Blaming.
The walk gave students a chance to gather and rally against rape culture and slut-shaming.
“Students gathered to shout that we won’t allow rape culture or victim blaming,” said freshman Shay Friedman, a member of EFFECT. “Students were encouraged to come wearing whatever they were comfortable in. Some wore completely normal clothes, and others wore nothing but a bra or corset.”
The idea behind this was to show that what someone is wearing is never a reason to rape or assault them and to fight against the excuse of, “They were asking for it.”
Friedman said this walk is important to her because it reminded her that students have a voice and a community that is important here on campus.
“I can’t imagine what it would be like to feel like you’re alone after being assaulted, and this walk gives students the opportunity to say, ‘This was not your fault and you have nothing at all to be ashamed of,’” Friedman said.
Male participation during the walk was also strong.
“For me, this walk was a chance to raise my voice against a social injustice and to serve as a male ally for victims of a crime that predominantly affects women,” Rossen said. “The highlight of the walk came in the aftermath, when I was able to explain my actions to my friends who were ignorant to the issue or judgmental at my participation.”
While both Rossen and Friedman feel that it is their responsibility to stand up against victim blaming, they still wonder why this needs to be protested.
“One of my friends made a poster for the walk that said, ‘I can’t believe I still have to protest this’ and I feel like that sums up my feelings of this week,” Friedman said.
Rossen pointed out one of the reasons why it still needs to be protested, especially when most of these conversations occur with like minded people.
“The real challenge comes in trying to convince those who disagree to see your reasoning,” he said. “Being afforded the chance to take on this challenge is my highlight.”
For Friedman, the cat-calling still continues, despite efforts like the walk.
“I will not forget being heckled while marching through the Greek courts, especially as a member of a Greek organization,” she said. “Some houses closed their doors. Others shouted things back at us.”
The week had more events than just the walk. It featured several other events, including a screening of “The Hunting Ground” and Take Back the Night, which is a speak-out event in which survivors of sexual assault have the opportunity to tell their stories and be 100 percent supported.
“There are too many people suffering to remain silent on such an issue,” Rossen said. “I feel it is a human responsibility to feel empathy for and stand with those who are victims to the unjust and negative system of patriarchy. It is a privilege to be able to ignore issues such as sexual assault and rape, and I would feel remiss as a human being if I didn’t work for positive societal change.”
The walk made Rossen feel a deeper connection to the Elon community, and he is proud that the university is working toward change. But he also believes the walk shows the gravity of the situation and there is a lot of work to be done to fight for social justice.
“We will not stop until every part of campus is a safe haven for victims — they deserve that much,” Friedman said.