sexual assault and rape are serious sobering topics one of the most
sobering topics one of the most
sobering topics one of the most perplexing things about them is we don’t
perplexing things about them is we don’t
perplexing things about them is we don’t treat talk or think about them like we
treat talk or think about them like we
treat talk or think about them like we would almost any other crime for
would almost any other crime for
would almost any other crime for instance in the United States in a four
instance in the United States in a four
instance in the United States in a four year period your chance of being
year period your chance of being
year period your chance of being murdered according to FBI statistics is
murdered according to FBI statistics is
murdered according to FBI statistics is roughly one in 5,280 and according to
roughly one in 5,280 and according to
roughly one in 5,280 and according to those same FBI statistics in a four year
those same FBI statistics in a four year
those same FBI statistics in a four year period
period
period your chance at having your car stolen is
your chance at having your car stolen is
your chance at having your car stolen is approximately one and a hundred eight
approximately one and a hundred eight
approximately one and a hundred eight imagine for a moment if either of those
imagine for a moment if either of those
imagine for a moment if either of those statistics were such they afflicted one
statistics were such they afflicted one
statistics were such they afflicted one in five people in a four year period
in five people in a four year period
in five people in a four year period folks in this country would be outraged
folks in this country would be outraged
folks in this country would be outraged and it does not take an expert to see
and it does not take an expert to see
and it does not take an expert to see why because in Honduras the most
why because in Honduras the most
why because in Honduras the most dangerous country in the world
dangerous country in the world
dangerous country in the world you only have a one in fifteen chance of
you only have a one in fifteen chance of
you only have a one in fifteen chance of being murdered and that’s if you live
being murdered and that’s if you live
being murdered and that’s if you live there for your entire life within the
there for your entire life within the
there for your entire life within the United States one in five women that
United States one in five women that
United States one in five women that goes to college will be sexually
goes to college will be sexually
goes to college will be sexually assaulted statistically between the time
assaulted statistically between the time
assaulted statistically between the time she gets there and the time she
she gets there and the time she
she gets there and the time she graduates the sexual assault epidemic is
graduates the sexual assault epidemic is
graduates the sexual assault epidemic is prolific and one of the most perplexing
prolific and one of the most perplexing
prolific and one of the most perplexing things about it is if we don’t treat it
things about it is if we don’t treat it
things about it is if we don’t treat it or talk about it with the seriousness it
or talk about it with the seriousness it
or talk about it with the seriousness it deserves until it’s put in the context
deserves until it’s put in the context
deserves until it’s put in the context of other statistics like murder and car
of other statistics like murder and car
of other statistics like murder and car theft and so in addition to sketching
theft and so in addition to sketching
theft and so in addition to sketching out that epidemic examining the efforts
out that epidemic examining the efforts
out that epidemic examining the efforts of current policymakers to fight that
of current policymakers to fight that
of current policymakers to fight that epidemic and why they seem to be failing
epidemic and why they seem to be failing
epidemic and why they seem to be failing I’ll suggest several solutions so my
I’ll suggest several solutions so my
I’ll suggest several solutions so my first experience with the topic came
first experience with the topic came
first experience with the topic came when as an eighteen-year-old freshman at
when as an eighteen-year-old freshman at
when as an eighteen-year-old freshman at this university I went here for
this university I went here for
this university I went here for undergrad as well
undergrad as well
undergrad as well the fraternity I joined my freshman year
the fraternity I joined my freshman year
the fraternity I joined my freshman year was booted off campus because a sexual
was booted off campus because a sexual
was booted off campus because a sexual assault happened there in the first week
assault happened there in the first week
assault happened there in the first week of school and at the time I think you
of school and at the time I think you
of school and at the time I think you could say that I thought of sexual
could say that I thought of sexual
could say that I thought of sexual assault the way that most people would
assault the way that most people would
assault the way that most people would think if they were asked if they knew
think if they were asked if they knew
think if they were asked if they knew CIA agents like you know I don’t have
CIA agents like you know I don’t have
CIA agents like you know I don’t have any personal experience with it I don’t
any personal experience with it I don’t
any personal experience with it I don’t know anyone but you know I’m sure those
know anyone but you know I’m sure those
know anyone but you know I’m sure those people are out there and I couldn’t have
people are out there and I couldn’t have
people are out there and I couldn’t have been more wrong and I had all this in
been more wrong and I had all this in
been more wrong and I had all this in the back of my mind when I picked up
the back of my mind when I picked up
the back of my mind when I picked up journalism as a hobby and I met a friend
journalism as a hobby and I met a friend
journalism as a hobby and I met a friend of the debate team who was writing his
of the debate team who was writing his
of the debate team who was writing his master’s thesis and he cannot
master’s thesis and he cannot
master’s thesis and he cannot program on the sexual economy of USC
program on the sexual economy of USC
program on the sexual economy of USC social system and so he analyzed how
social system and so he analyzed how
social system and so he analyzed how money was funneled into parties and
money was funneled into parties and
money was funneled into parties and alcohol and the hookups that was
alcohol and the hookups that was
alcohol and the hookups that was resulted and and I analyzed this from
resulted and and I analyzed this from
resulted and and I analyzed this from the perspective of non-consensual
the perspective of non-consensual
the perspective of non-consensual hookups which we deem sexual assault
hookups which we deem sexual assault
hookups which we deem sexual assault obviously and and I found that when I
obviously and and I found that when I
obviously and and I found that when I wrote this investigative piece and you
wrote this investigative piece and you
wrote this investigative piece and you put these numbers in front of people
put these numbers in front of people
put these numbers in front of people they they are willing to listen and they
they they are willing to listen and they
they they are willing to listen and they become passionate about the issue and
become passionate about the issue and
become passionate about the issue and and that inspired me reading all the
and that inspired me reading all the
and that inspired me reading all the positive comments and even the negative
positive comments and even the negative
positive comments and even the negative comments to push further and so I
comments to push further and so I
comments to push further and so I brought in my focus and wrote a second
brought in my focus and wrote a second
brought in my focus and wrote a second piece which examined and I interviewed
piece which examined and I interviewed
piece which examined and I interviewed researchers and administrators from
researchers and administrators from
researchers and administrators from across the country and examine the topic
across the country and examine the topic
across the country and examine the topic from a solutions based perspective and
from a solutions based perspective and
from a solutions based perspective and again I found that when you put this
again I found that when you put this
again I found that when you put this stuff in front of people they’re really
stuff in front of people they’re really
stuff in front of people they’re really willing to care and that second piece
willing to care and that second piece
willing to care and that second piece ended up winning the Los Angeles Press
ended up winning the Los Angeles Press
ended up winning the Los Angeles Press Club award for the best online
Club award for the best online
Club award for the best online investigative journalism in 2015 and I
investigative journalism in 2015 and I
investigative journalism in 2015 and I remember sitting at the awards dinner
remember sitting at the awards dinner
remember sitting at the awards dinner and thinking more than any other
and thinking more than any other
and thinking more than any other conversation I’ve had with researchers
conversation I’ve had with researchers
conversation I’ve had with researchers or administrators what sticks with me
or administrators what sticks with me
or administrators what sticks with me most are my conversations with the
most are my conversations with the
most are my conversations with the sexual assault survivors because I had I
sexual assault survivors because I had I
sexual assault survivors because I had I had friends that I had not talked to
had friends that I had not talked to
had friends that I had not talked to since high school message me I had I had
since high school message me I had I had
since high school message me I had I had friends that I was close personal
friends that I was close personal
friends that I was close personal friends with say you know I’m
friends with say you know I’m
friends with say you know I’m experiencing the struggle of surviving a
experiencing the struggle of surviving a
experiencing the struggle of surviving a sexual assault and and it affects people
sexual assault and and it affects people
sexual assault and and it affects people that I know it affects people that you
that I know it affects people that you
that I know it affects people that you know and I think that the reason that it
know and I think that the reason that it
know and I think that the reason that it leaves long-term mental wounds rather
leaves long-term mental wounds rather
leaves long-term mental wounds rather than in most cases physical wounds is
than in most cases physical wounds is
than in most cases physical wounds is why we as a society are less aware of it
why we as a society are less aware of it
why we as a society are less aware of it and why we’re unwilling to treat it as
and why we’re unwilling to treat it as
and why we’re unwilling to treat it as seriously as we would other crimes and
seriously as we would other crimes and
seriously as we would other crimes and and it’s one of the reasons why like we
and it’s one of the reasons why like we
and it’s one of the reasons why like we would never call someone who survived a
would never call someone who survived a
would never call someone who survived a battle with a life-threatening physical
battle with a life-threatening physical
battle with a life-threatening physical diseases like cancer cancer victim I try
diseases like cancer cancer victim I try
diseases like cancer cancer victim I try really hard to talk about the people
really hard to talk about the people
really hard to talk about the people that have survived a sexual assault as
that have survived a sexual assault as
that have survived a sexual assault as survivors and so I hope that this talk
survivors and so I hope that this talk
survivors and so I hope that this talk brings the struggle survivors face more
brings the struggle survivors face more
brings the struggle survivors face more into the light rather than how we
into the light rather than how we
into the light rather than how we currently treat the topic as a whole
currently treat the topic as a whole
currently treat the topic as a whole which I think of like a four-letter word
which I think of like a four-letter word
which I think of like a four-letter word that is not appropriate for for
that is not appropriate for for
that is not appropriate for for television or for polite conversation I
television or for polite conversation I
television or for polite conversation I hope to change that I really do and so
hope to change that I really do and so
hope to change that I really do and so I’ve already mentioned that one in five
I’ve already mentioned that one in five
I’ve already mentioned that one in five women will be statistically assaulted
women will be statistically assaulted
women will be statistically assaulted sexually when they go to college what
sexually when they go to college what
sexually when they go to college what happens those one in five women you
happens those one in five women you
happens those one in five women you might think oh they go to their
might think oh they go to their
might think oh they go to their university that they seek justice they
university that they seek justice they
university that they seek justice they they find the attacker and
they find the attacker and
they find the attacker and you know they boot him from campus but
you know they boot him from campus but
you know they boot him from campus but but not so a 2014 study commissioned by
but not so a 2014 study commissioned by
but not so a 2014 study commissioned by the United States Senate interviewed 236
the United States Senate interviewed 236
the United States Senate interviewed 236 colleges and university of the United
colleges and university of the United
colleges and university of the United States including 49 of the top 50 public
States including 49 of the top 50 public
States including 49 of the top 50 public research universities it found in the
research universities it found in the
research universities it found in the five-year period between 2008 and 2013
five-year period between 2008 and 2013
five-year period between 2008 and 2013 40% of those schools did not investigate
40% of those schools did not investigate
40% of those schools did not investigate a single sexual assault on their campus
a single sexual assault on their campus
a single sexual assault on their campus not a single one think about that and
not a single one think about that and
not a single one think about that and you’ll come to two conclusions I think
you’ll come to two conclusions I think
you’ll come to two conclusions I think neither of them are good first either
neither of them are good first either
neither of them are good first either when sexual assaults do happen
when sexual assaults do happen
when sexual assaults do happen the folks whom they happen to are not
the folks whom they happen to are not
the folks whom they happen to are not comfortable coming forward to their
comfortable coming forward to their
comfortable coming forward to their colleges and universities or that when
colleges and universities or that when
colleges and universities or that when they do come forward their stories are
they do come forward their stories are
they do come forward their stories are swept under the rug and not investigated
swept under the rug and not investigated
swept under the rug and not investigated and and the reality is ultimately
and and the reality is ultimately
and and the reality is ultimately somewhere in between and there is data
somewhere in between and there is data
somewhere in between and there is data to support both conclusions in the same
to support both conclusions in the same
to support both conclusions in the same campus survey that found the 1 in 5
campus survey that found the 1 in 5
campus survey that found the 1 in 5 statistic it asks people about the
statistic it asks people about the
statistic it asks people about the reporting rates of sexual assault and
reporting rates of sexual assault and
reporting rates of sexual assault and found that only between five and twenty
found that only between five and twenty
found that only between five and twenty eight percent of people that experience
eight percent of people that experience
eight percent of people that experience a sexual assault were comfortable enough
a sexual assault were comfortable enough
a sexual assault were comfortable enough to report it to campus authorities the
to report it to campus authorities the
to report it to campus authorities the reasons that the rest of them gave for
reasons that the rest of them gave for
reasons that the rest of them gave for not doing so or that they were
not doing so or that they were
not doing so or that they were embarrassed ashamed thought it was too
embarrassed ashamed thought it was too
embarrassed ashamed thought it was too emotionally difficult didn’t think it
emotionally difficult didn’t think it
emotionally difficult didn’t think it was serious enough didn’t think their
was serious enough didn’t think their
was serious enough didn’t think their campus officials would think it was
campus officials would think it was
campus officials would think it was seriousness serious enough and and
seriousness serious enough and and
seriousness serious enough and and ultimately when it asked even the
ultimately when it asked even the
ultimately when it asked even the broader population of students the same
broader population of students the same
broader population of students the same survey found that 63% then only 63%
survey found that 63% then only 63%
survey found that 63% then only 63% thought that if they reported a sexual
thought that if they reported a sexual
thought that if they reported a sexual assault that happened to them it would
assault that happened to them it would
assault that happened to them it would be taken seriously and as it turns out
be taken seriously and as it turns out
be taken seriously and as it turns out these concerns are legitimate in June of
these concerns are legitimate in June of
these concerns are legitimate in June of 2016 a student by the name of Emma doe
2016 a student by the name of Emma doe
2016 a student by the name of Emma doe wrote a letter that went viral online
wrote a letter that went viral online
wrote a letter that went viral online she was the victim of a sexual assault
she was the victim of a sexual assault
she was the victim of a sexual assault that happened at the hands of a guy
that happened at the hands of a guy
that happened at the hands of a guy named Brock Turner the witnesses of the
named Brock Turner the witnesses of the
named Brock Turner the witnesses of the trial testified that they found him on
trial testified that they found him on
trial testified that they found him on top of her unconscious body behind a
top of her unconscious body behind a
top of her unconscious body behind a dumpster in the Stanford campus and it
dumpster in the Stanford campus and it
dumpster in the Stanford campus and it was only because these two students
was only because these two students
was only because these two students happen to be biking by that they were
happen to be biking by that they were
happen to be biking by that they were able to call the police and hold turn
able to call the police and hold turn
able to call the police and hold turn her down until the police could arrive
her down until the police could arrive
her down until the police could arrive he was convicted of three felonies
he was convicted of three felonies
he was convicted of three felonies sexual assault with the intent to commit
sexual assault with the intent to commit
sexual assault with the intent to commit rape penetration of an intoxicated
rape penetration of an intoxicated
rape penetration of an intoxicated person with a foreign object and
person with a foreign object and
person with a foreign object and penetration of an unconscious person
penetration of an unconscious person
penetration of an unconscious person with a foreign object its convicted of
with a foreign object its convicted of
with a foreign object its convicted of all three and before it was sentenced
all three and before it was sentenced
all three and before it was sentenced the judge allowed Amadou to read what
the judge allowed Amadou to read what
the judge allowed Amadou to read what became an incredibly powerful and moving
became an incredibly powerful and moving
became an incredibly powerful and moving letter she described how he had taken
letter she described how he had taken
letter she described how he had taken away her worth and the struggle of
away her worth and the struggle of
away her worth and the struggle of surviving the sexual assault combined
surviving the sexual assault combined
surviving the sexual assault combined with answering questions from lawyers
with answering questions from lawyers
with answering questions from lawyers and friends who didn’t give her the
and friends who didn’t give her the
and friends who didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt was was immensely
benefit of the doubt was was immensely
benefit of the doubt was was immensely damaging for her the letter was read on
damaging for her the letter was read on
damaging for her the letter was read on the national news it was read on the
the national news it was read on the
the national news it was read on the floor of Congress and the vice president
floor of Congress and the vice president
floor of Congress and the vice president the time Joe Biden were a letter to her
the time Joe Biden were a letter to her
the time Joe Biden were a letter to her in which he detailed how proud of her he
in which he detailed how proud of her he
in which he detailed how proud of her he was for her courage to come forward and
was for her courage to come forward and
was for her courage to come forward and talk about this openly so the
talk about this openly so the
talk about this openly so the prosecutors asked the judge to sentence
prosecutors asked the judge to sentence
prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Barak Turner to six years in federal
Barak Turner to six years in federal
Barak Turner to six years in federal prison for the crimes that he had
prison for the crimes that he had
prison for the crimes that he had committed the three felonies that he had
committed the three felonies that he had
committed the three felonies that he had been convicted of and the judge citing
been convicted of and the judge citing
been convicted of and the judge citing what he thought was an adverse effect
what he thought was an adverse effect
what he thought was an adverse effect that that harsh sentence would have
that that harsh sentence would have
that that harsh sentence would have sentenced him to six months in jail and
sentenced him to six months in jail and
sentenced him to six months in jail and probation and it turned out that because
probation and it turned out that because
probation and it turned out that because he had only served some time before the
he had only served some time before the
he had only served some time before the trial and because of good behavior when
trial and because of good behavior when
trial and because of good behavior when he was in jail at the start of his
he was in jail at the start of his
he was in jail at the start of his sentence he would only serve three
sentence he would only serve three
sentence he would only serve three months of those sentences before he was
months of those sentences before he was
months of those sentences before he was released from jail I know students the
released from jail I know students the
released from jail I know students the law school who work with people in jails
law school who work with people in jails
law school who work with people in jails across the state that do more time in
across the state that do more time in
across the state that do more time in prison for drug offenses for
prison for drug offenses for
prison for drug offenses for homelessness for unpaid traffic tickets
homelessness for unpaid traffic tickets
homelessness for unpaid traffic tickets and as heartbreaking as the brock turner
and as heartbreaking as the brock turner
and as heartbreaking as the brock turner story is I think one of the most
story is I think one of the most
story is I think one of the most heartbreaking things about the whole
heartbreaking things about the whole
heartbreaking things about the whole situation is that it takes a story of
situation is that it takes a story of
situation is that it takes a story of such horror before we’re willing to pay
such horror before we’re willing to pay
such horror before we’re willing to pay attention to this there are analogous
attention to this there are analogous
attention to this there are analogous stories of bizarrely lakhs punishments
stories of bizarrely lakhs punishments
stories of bizarrely lakhs punishments that were doled out by colleges and
that were doled out by colleges and
that were doled out by colleges and universities in cases that never see the
universities in cases that never see the
universities in cases that never see the light of a formal legal courtroom an
light of a formal legal courtroom an
light of a formal legal courtroom an Indiana University for example one
Indiana University for example one
Indiana University for example one student’s attacker was suspended from
student’s attacker was suspended from
student’s attacker was suspended from classes for a semester after he was
classes for a semester after he was
classes for a semester after he was found of committed to sexual assault but
found of committed to sexual assault but
found of committed to sexual assault but it was a summer semester which like many
it was a summer semester which like many
it was a summer semester which like many of the college students in this room he
of the college students in this room he
of the college students in this room he never planned to attend classes for
never planned to attend classes for
never planned to attend classes for anyways and when I talk about this stuff
anyways and when I talk about this stuff
anyways and when I talk about this stuff I’m constantly reminded that the plural
I’m constantly reminded that the plural
I’m constantly reminded that the plural of anecdote is not evidence it is to say
of anecdote is not evidence it is to say
of anecdote is not evidence it is to say a bunch of stories don’t necessarily
a bunch of stories don’t necessarily
a bunch of stories don’t necessarily prove a point and so there is data to
prove a point and so there is data to
prove a point and so there is data to back this up in fact between 2003 and
back this up in fact between 2003 and
back this up in fact between 2003 and 2008
2008
2008 only 13 to 30 percent of men at 130
only 13 to 30 percent of men at 130
only 13 to 30 percent of men at 130 publicly funded universities in this
publicly funded universities in this
publicly funded universities in this country were expelled after being found
country were expelled after being found
country were expelled after being found committed to sexual assault and so I
committed to sexual assault and so I
committed to sexual assault and so I think that the the rest of them they
think that the the rest of them they
think that the the rest of them they must have received and this has been
must have received and this has been
must have received and this has been reported bizarrely lacks punishments
reported bizarrely lacks punishments
reported bizarrely lacks punishments they range from apology letters to
they range from apology letters to
they range from apology letters to community service time one student was
community service time one student was
community service time one student was sentenced to social probation as
sentenced to social probation as
sentenced to social probation as undefined as that is the award-winning
undefined as that is the award-winning
undefined as that is the award-winning documentary the hunting ground
documentary the hunting ground
documentary the hunting ground even detailed an instance in which one
even detailed an instance in which one
even detailed an instance in which one students attacker after being found to
students attacker after being found to
students attacker after being found to have sexually assaulted her was told by
have sexually assaulted her was told by
have sexually assaulted her was told by his college as punishment to volunteer
his college as punishment to volunteer
his college as punishment to volunteer at a rape crisis center and so I think
at a rape crisis center and so I think
at a rape crisis center and so I think the broad Turner case was the inevitable
the broad Turner case was the inevitable
the broad Turner case was the inevitable culmination of these countless stories
culmination of these countless stories
culmination of these countless stories that happen every single day that we
that happen every single day that we
that happen every single day that we don’t hear about and I think that we
don’t hear about and I think that we
don’t hear about and I think that we should think of these stories as
should think of these stories as
should think of these stories as important every single day even when
important every single day even when
important every single day even when there’s not a headline-grabbing story in
there’s not a headline-grabbing story in
there’s not a headline-grabbing story in the news and it’s that that I think
the news and it’s that that I think
the news and it’s that that I think informs a discussion of solutions and
informs a discussion of solutions and
informs a discussion of solutions and there are two broad categories cultural
there are two broad categories cultural
there are two broad categories cultural and policy driven I don’t think you can
and policy driven I don’t think you can
and policy driven I don’t think you can talk about one without the other because
talk about one without the other because
talk about one without the other because policy driven solutions refers to the
policy driven solutions refers to the
policy driven solutions refers to the tangible ideas and and the things that
tangible ideas and and the things that
tangible ideas and and the things that are written on paper that we’re doing to
are written on paper that we’re doing to
are written on paper that we’re doing to stop sexual assault and the culture
stop sexual assault and the culture
stop sexual assault and the culture refers to the ideas and the values that
refers to the ideas and the values that
refers to the ideas and the values that we impart on those policies to take them
we impart on those policies to take them
we impart on those policies to take them seriously and so I’ll start with the
seriously and so I’ll start with the
seriously and so I’ll start with the policy driven solutions which again fall
policy driven solutions which again fall
policy driven solutions which again fall into two categories there’s prevention
into two categories there’s prevention
into two categories there’s prevention which refers to what we do to make sure
which refers to what we do to make sure
which refers to what we do to make sure sexual assaults happen at lower rates
sexual assaults happen at lower rates
sexual assaults happen at lower rates and adjudication which is what do we do
and adjudication which is what do we do
and adjudication which is what do we do after they happen to send a message to
after they happen to send a message to
after they happen to send a message to future survivors that their stories will
future survivors that their stories will
future survivors that their stories will be taken seriously and to would-be
be taken seriously and to would-be
be taken seriously and to would-be perpetrators that they will also be
perpetrators that they will also be
perpetrators that they will also be taken seriously and so I’m going to
taken seriously and so I’m going to
taken seriously and so I’m going to focus on the prevention category because
focus on the prevention category because
focus on the prevention category because I think there’s some really interesting
I think there’s some really interesting
I think there’s some really interesting and eye-opening ideas out there and the
and eye-opening ideas out there and the
and eye-opening ideas out there and the first is pioneered by a guy named David
first is pioneered by a guy named David
first is pioneered by a guy named David Lisak who is a national researcher and
Lisak who is a national researcher and
Lisak who is a national researcher and consultant on this stuff he talks to
consultant on this stuff he talks to
consultant on this stuff he talks to universities the military and law
universities the military and law
universities the military and law enforcement and and his research has
enforcement and and his research has
enforcement and and his research has found that most rapists are serial in
found that most rapists are serial in
found that most rapists are serial in nature that is to say that the same
nature that is to say that the same
nature that is to say that the same rapist will commit an average of six
rapist will commit an average of six
rapist will commit an average of six rapes nine and ten of these people are
rapes nine and ten of these people are
rapes nine and ten of these people are serious sexual predators according to
serious sexual predators according to
serious sexual predators according to his research and they exist on college
his research and they exist on college
his research and they exist on college campuses
campuses
campuses and acknowledging they exist is really
and acknowledging they exist is really
and acknowledging they exist is really important I’ll talk about why in a
important I’ll talk about why in a
important I’ll talk about why in a moment but the second important thing is
moment but the second important thing is
moment but the second important thing is that the drinking age in this country
that the drinking age in this country
that the drinking age in this country was raised in 1984 to the age of 21 and
was raised in 1984 to the age of 21 and
was raised in 1984 to the age of 21 and you might wonder where this is going so
you might wonder where this is going so
you might wonder where this is going so bear with me it had the effect on
bear with me it had the effect on
bear with me it had the effect on college campuses of bringing the party
college campuses of bringing the party
college campuses of bringing the party out of places like bars and more heavily
out of places like bars and more heavily
out of places like bars and more heavily regulated Social scene’s and into
regulated Social scene’s and into
regulated Social scene’s and into private homes that are oftentimes
private homes that are oftentimes
private homes that are oftentimes male-dominated where let’s be honest
male-dominated where let’s be honest
male-dominated where let’s be honest colleges turn a pretty blind eye to
colleges turn a pretty blind eye to
colleges turn a pretty blind eye to underage alcohol consumption in the
underage alcohol consumption in the
underage alcohol consumption in the first place and there’s data to show
first place and there’s data to show
first place and there’s data to show that these atmospheres are dangerous for
that these atmospheres are dangerous for
that these atmospheres are dangerous for women in particular a study at the
women in particular a study at the
women in particular a study at the University of Oregon in 2014 found that
University of Oregon in 2014 found that
University of Oregon in 2014 found that women in the Greek system there were
women in the Greek system there were
women in the Greek system there were twice as likely to experience rape or
twice as likely to experience rape or
twice as likely to experience rape or attempted rape as women at one in the
attempted rape as women at one in the
attempted rape as women at one in the Greek system there and so these inform
Greek system there and so these inform
Greek system there and so these inform what I think are a few really good ideas
what I think are a few really good ideas
what I think are a few really good ideas the first jumps off the serial rapist
the first jumps off the serial rapist
the first jumps off the serial rapist perspective and David Lisak is fond of
perspective and David Lisak is fond of
perspective and David Lisak is fond of this phrase he uses and he told me a few
this phrase he uses and he told me a few
this phrase he uses and he told me a few years ago and we spoke on the phone when
years ago and we spoke on the phone when
years ago and we spoke on the phone when I was starting to write about this stuff
I was starting to write about this stuff
I was starting to write about this stuff colleges think of the rapist as the ski
colleges think of the rapist as the ski
colleges think of the rapist as the ski mask wearing knife-wielding individual
mask wearing knife-wielding individual
mask wearing knife-wielding individual who jumps out of the bushes and that is
who jumps out of the bushes and that is
who jumps out of the bushes and that is a fictionalized account that is so out
a fictionalized account that is so out
a fictionalized account that is so out of touch with reality we know that 80 to
of touch with reality we know that 80 to
of touch with reality we know that 80 to 95 percent of sexual assaults will be
95 percent of sexual assaults will be
95 percent of sexual assaults will be committed between two people that
committed between two people that
committed between two people that actually know each other
actually know each other
actually know each other and so a universal top-down
and so a universal top-down
and so a universal top-down acknowledgment about the presence of
acknowledgment about the presence of
acknowledgment about the presence of serial rapists on campus that there are
serial rapists on campus that there are
serial rapists on campus that there are sex offenders on campuses just like
sex offenders on campuses just like
sex offenders on campuses just like there are people predisposed to physical
there are people predisposed to physical
there are people predisposed to physical violence or to plagiarism is really
violence or to plagiarism is really
violence or to plagiarism is really really important it sends a message to
really important it sends a message to
really important it sends a message to victims who know their attackers that
victims who know their attackers that
victims who know their attackers that when they come forward they’ll be taken
when they come forward they’ll be taken
when they come forward they’ll be taken seriously even if their attacker doesn’t
seriously even if their attacker doesn’t
seriously even if their attacker doesn’t match this fictionalized account it
match this fictionalized account it
match this fictionalized account it sends a message to would-be attackers
sends a message to would-be attackers
sends a message to would-be attackers and perpetrators that just because they
and perpetrators that just because they
and perpetrators that just because they don’t match this description if they
don’t match this description if they
don’t match this description if they commit an act that could be construed as
commit an act that could be construed as
commit an act that could be construed as sexual assault they could still be held
sexual assault they could still be held
sexual assault they could still be held accountable for those crimes the second
accountable for those crimes the second
accountable for those crimes the second big solution follows up on the drinking
big solution follows up on the drinking
big solution follows up on the drinking age stuff I was talking about there’s a
age stuff I was talking about there’s a
age stuff I was talking about there’s a professor at Yale law named Jay
professor at Yale law named Jay
professor at Yale law named Jay Rubenfeld who wrote a really compelling
Rubenfeld who wrote a really compelling
Rubenfeld who wrote a really compelling up at in New York Times called
up at in New York Times called
up at in New York Times called mishandling rape in which he argued that
mishandling rape in which he argued that
mishandling rape in which he argued that reducing the drinking age from 21 back
reducing the drinking age from 21 back
reducing the drinking age from 21 back to 18 and returning colleges to the pre
to 18 and returning colleges to the pre
to 18 and returning colleges to the pre 1984 social scene would actually be a
1984 social scene would actually be a
1984 social scene would actually be a lot safer for women because before
lot safer for women because before
lot safer for women because before were concerned about who was drinking at
were concerned about who was drinking at
were concerned about who was drinking at the parties and what age they were they
the parties and what age they were they
the parties and what age they were they were concerned about where they were
were concerned about where they were
were concerned about where they were drinking and if they were doing it
drinking and if they were doing it
drinking and if they were doing it safely and they still are but I think
safely and they still are but I think
safely and they still are but I think we’re turning to an emphasis on colleges
we’re turning to an emphasis on colleges
we’re turning to an emphasis on colleges that have parties and this happened mind
that have parties and this happened mind
that have parties and this happened mind you in in public college sponsored
you in in public college sponsored
you in in public college sponsored places where anyone above 18 can drink
places where anyone above 18 can drink
places where anyone above 18 can drink that they were focusing on the presence
that they were focusing on the presence
that they were focusing on the presence of security officers and providing a
of security officers and providing a
of security officers and providing a safe environment for people to have fun
safe environment for people to have fun
safe environment for people to have fun in and that just doesn’t happen as much
in and that just doesn’t happen as much
in and that just doesn’t happen as much as it should now the third solution is
as it should now the third solution is
as it should now the third solution is informing the way we train people in our
informing the way we train people in our
informing the way we train people in our consent education programs and our
consent education programs and our
consent education programs and our bystander intervention programs with
bystander intervention programs with
bystander intervention programs with extremely precise language because
extremely precise language because
extremely precise language because there’s good evidence to show that the
there’s good evidence to show that the
there’s good evidence to show that the words we use to describe these crimes
words we use to describe these crimes
words we use to describe these crimes actually has a bearing on whether or not
actually has a bearing on whether or not
actually has a bearing on whether or not someone will commit them a study of male
someone will commit them a study of male
someone will commit them a study of male college students found that a
college students found that a
college students found that a consequence free environment 10 percent
consequence free environment 10 percent
consequence free environment 10 percent of people surveyed or roughly their so
of people surveyed or roughly their so
of people surveyed or roughly their so that they would rape a woman if they
that they would rape a woman if they
that they would rape a woman if they knew there were no consequences but when
knew there were no consequences but when
knew there were no consequences but when the survey asked respondents if they
the survey asked respondents if they
the survey asked respondents if they would force someone to have sexual
would force someone to have sexual
would force someone to have sexual intercourse against their will that
intercourse against their will that
intercourse against their will that number ballooned to over 30 percent that
number ballooned to over 30 percent that
number ballooned to over 30 percent that twenty percent of people that aren’t
twenty percent of people that aren’t
twenty percent of people that aren’t willing in their minds to equate the
willing in their minds to equate the
willing in their minds to equate the wrongness of rape with the wrongness of
wrongness of rape with the wrongness of
wrongness of rape with the wrongness of forcing someone to have sex against
forcing someone to have sex against
forcing someone to have sex against their will are a reachable reachable
their will are a reachable reachable
their will are a reachable reachable demographic for college and universities
demographic for college and universities
demographic for college and universities that seek to train incoming students
that seek to train incoming students
that seek to train incoming students about what sexual assault is and and why
about what sexual assault is and and why
about what sexual assault is and and why it’s important not to do it and why it
it’s important not to do it and why it
it’s important not to do it and why it is against the rules
is against the rules
is against the rules and and I think that we must be careful
and and I think that we must be careful
and and I think that we must be careful to designing these programs which are
to designing these programs which are
to designing these programs which are currently full of cartoony scenarios
currently full of cartoony scenarios
currently full of cartoony scenarios with rosy language and euphemisms and
with rosy language and euphemisms and
with rosy language and euphemisms and why we should be willing to call sexual
why we should be willing to call sexual
why we should be willing to call sexual assaults what they are rapes because
assaults what they are rapes because
assaults what they are rapes because obviously it has an impact on whether or
obviously it has an impact on whether or
obviously it has an impact on whether or not someone is going to commit them so
not someone is going to commit them so
not someone is going to commit them so I’ll conclude with solutions in in the
I’ll conclude with solutions in in the
I’ll conclude with solutions in in the cultural based category because I think
cultural based category because I think
cultural based category because I think that they’re also immensely important
that they’re also immensely important
that they’re also immensely important I’ve been saying it the whole time but I
I’ve been saying it the whole time but I
I’ve been saying it the whole time but I can’t stress enough that we don’t treat
can’t stress enough that we don’t treat
can’t stress enough that we don’t treat or talk about this epidemic like we
or talk about this epidemic like we
or talk about this epidemic like we would almost any other and and nothing
would almost any other and and nothing
would almost any other and and nothing exemplified this more to me then a quote
exemplified this more to me then a quote
exemplified this more to me then a quote I read in The New York Times from back
I read in The New York Times from back
I read in The New York Times from back in October it was from a Donald Trump
in October it was from a Donald Trump
in October it was from a Donald Trump supporter who has asked about the sexual
supporter who has asked about the sexual
supporter who has asked about the sexual assault allegations that were swirling
assault allegations that were swirling
assault allegations that were swirling around him at this time
around him at this time
around him at this time and this is what the individual had to
and this is what the individual had to
and this is what the individual had to say it’s baloney to come out now they’re
say it’s baloney to come out now they’re
say it’s baloney to come out now they’re opportunists
opportunists
opportunists listen no man attacks a woman unless
listen no man attacks a woman unless
listen no man attacks a woman unless she’s looking like she’s asking for it
she’s looking like she’s asking for it
she’s looking like she’s asking for it and it was in that moment that that I
and it was in that moment that that I
and it was in that moment that that I really realized why it is so important
really realized why it is so important
really realized why it is so important for people to stand up and call this
for people to stand up and call this
for people to stand up and call this epidemic and outgrowth of rape culture
epidemic and outgrowth of rape culture
epidemic and outgrowth of rape culture and here’s why because if one in five
and here’s why because if one in five
and here’s why because if one in five women that went to college in America
women that went to college in America
women that went to college in America were statistically likely to be murdered
were statistically likely to be murdered
were statistically likely to be murdered we would say we have a problem with
we would say we have a problem with
we would say we have a problem with homicide culture if one in five women
homicide culture if one in five women
homicide culture if one in five women who went to college we’re going to have
who went to college we’re going to have
who went to college we’re going to have their car stolen statistically we would
their car stolen statistically we would
their car stolen statistically we would have no problem saying we have a problem
have no problem saying we have a problem
have no problem saying we have a problem with car theft culture and so it boggles
with car theft culture and so it boggles
with car theft culture and so it boggles my mind that people are unwilling to
my mind that people are unwilling to
my mind that people are unwilling to talk about rape culture when we know one
talk about rape culture when we know one
talk about rape culture when we know one in five women who go to college are
in five women who go to college are
in five women who go to college are statistically going to be sexually
statistically going to be sexually
statistically going to be sexually assaulted and it’s one of the reasons
assaulted and it’s one of the reasons
assaulted and it’s one of the reasons why is a guy I’m so passionate about
why is a guy I’m so passionate about
why is a guy I’m so passionate about this too because I think it’s so
this too because I think it’s so
this too because I think it’s so important for guys to stand up and say
important for guys to stand up and say
important for guys to stand up and say that not everyone thinks about women and
that not everyone thinks about women and
that not everyone thinks about women and thinks about this issue like some people
thinks about this issue like some people
thinks about this issue like some people that have a greater share of the
that have a greater share of the
that have a greater share of the national spotlight and so I don’t expect
national spotlight and so I don’t expect
national spotlight and so I don’t expect everyone to remember every story or
everyone to remember every story or
everyone to remember every story or every statistic or every solution but I
every statistic or every solution but I
every statistic or every solution but I think we would be so much better off if
think we would be so much better off if
think we would be so much better off if we all walked away from this thinking
we all walked away from this thinking
we all walked away from this thinking about the sexual assault epidemic
about the sexual assault epidemic
about the sexual assault epidemic seriously and is independent in its own
seriously and is independent in its own
seriously and is independent in its own right instead of the taboo nests that we
right instead of the taboo nests that we
right instead of the taboo nests that we might think of certain employee
might think of certain employee
might think of certain employee four-letter words
”
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