Sexual Assault
Timely warnings and PSU texts are sent out fairly often to the Penn State community. These warnings are very helpful because they immediately provide information to the people of the community and keep them informed of their surroundings. However, more often than not, forcible sex offenses and sexual assaults are the main subject of these timely warnings. This means that sexual assault is clearly a problem in the Penn State community, and security measures must be taken in order to help stop these from occurring in the future.
With Penn State being home to 40,000+ students, it is nearly impossible to control what goes on around campus all day, everyday. Ultimately, sexual assault is virtually impossible to completely prevent from happening. No one strategy will prevent or decrease sexual assault; therefore, multiple strategies must take place in order to, at least, decrease the number of sexual assaults per year at Penn State. The most effective strategies to help forego the change is to put into effect a zero tolerance policy, increase security in downtown state college and around campus, and provide a 24-hour buddy service available to anyone on campus.
Most sexual assaults occur with a combination of intoxication from drugs or alcohol, late hours of the night, and lack of consent from the victim. According to the 2014 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, “consent must be informed, freely given and mutual. If coercion, intimidation, threats or physical force are used there is no consent. If a person is mentally or physically incapacitated or impaired so that such person cannot understand the fat, nature or extent of the sexual situation, there is no consent” (Policies, Safety, & U 10). The most effective way to prevent un-consented sex from happening is to provide a 24 hour available “buddy” service which allows students to have access to a “buddy” to walk with them whenever and wherever they feel the need. This system will allow students to have someone with them when they go out at night, and serve as their “decision makers” when they get caught in suspicious situations and are unable to make decisions for themselves. This system will help students feel more comfortable going out, knowing that they have someone who will see over them and protect them from potential danger.
Some other incidents, which were talked about in the deliberation that would help, not prevent, but at least decrease the numbers of sexual assaults annually would be to increase security. This is the most conventional, as well as the most probable way to decrease the number of sexual assaults, as this will not only increase job opportunities in the police force, but also help protect students in the Penn State community. In the past 4 years, Penn State has seen averages of about 45 forcible sex offences on campus, and 51 in State College alone (The Daily Collegian). Seeing this as a problem, it would be beneficial to both students and the community if additional security camera were located strategically downtown and around campus where sexual assaults are popular. In addition to increased security cameras, having more officers patrol downtown State College, student residential areas, and “frat row” during the hours of 12am to 3am when students are returning home will provide a sense of comfort to students and help prevent occurrences of sexual assaults.
The most effective, yet drastic way of handling this situation with sexual assault is to provide a “Zero Tolerance” policy. An anonymous interviewee explained that, “providing a “Zero Tolerance” policy will result in student being alarmed that if they sexually offend someone else, they will be expelled” (Anonymous). When a student or individual sexually offends someone else, they can be charged with assault, sentenced to prison for some amount of time, and put on their criminal record for good. However, these charges do not seem to affect people who sexually offend others. By providing a Zero Tolerance policy, this will cause students to have the knowledge that if the sexually offend another, no matter how severe; they will no longer be able to attend the university. Though this is a very extreme way of handling the situation, it would diminish the numbers of sexual assaults greatly because students would think twice before making poor decisions as it could cost them their college education.
Sexual assaults are a big problem, not just at Penn State, but at many other college campuses nation wide. There is no one strategy that would help prevent sexual assaults from happening, rather a multitude of strategies should take place in order to help decrease the numbers of sexual assaults per year. With Penn State being home to 40,000+ students during the year, it is extremely hard to watch over their every action during their time here at Penn State. Ultimately, a student’s safety is their responsibility. With several options currently open to them such as the blue lights, campus police, and trustworthy friends, college students are more than capable to make decisions for themselves. Being safe on campus continues to be a problem at universities, and increased security and additional resources available to students can help diminish sexual assaults.
Works Cited
Barron, Eric, and Stephen Shelow. “Policies, Safety, & U.” 2014 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. 9 Oct. 2014. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/security-reports/upload/UP14-3.pdf>.
McCarthy, Erin, and Anna Higgins. “Fraternities, Alcohol and Sexual Assault on College Campuses.” The Daily Collegian. The Daily Collegian, 3 Apr. 2015. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. <http://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/article_42737bd2-d9be-11e4-a717-4ff4eba61251.html>.
Anonymous. “Sexual Assault.” Personal interview. 13 Apr. 2015.
