In college, I briefly volunteered at a crisis center for sexual assault survivors, but I quickly recognized that I lacked the emotional resilience necessary to support someone in such distress. My instinctive reactions to anger and sadness made it hard for me to serve as the calming presence they needed.
During our extensive six-week training, we were confronted with grim statistics: 1 in 6 women in the United States will experience attempted or completed rape, and every 98 seconds, someone in the country becomes a victim. Disturbingly, only 6 out of 1,000 sexual offenders face prison time. These figures only scratch the surface, as many survivors choose not to report their assaults at all.
Following our training, we accompanied seasoned volunteers to hospitals to advocate for survivors. It became painfully clear how convoluted and frightening the legal and support systems can be for those affected by sexual violence. With so few perpetrators facing justice, it’s evident that campus programs aimed at supporting victims are crucial. Yet, despite these efforts, the odds of accountability remain dismal.
Recently, a survivor’s letter published in The New York Times criticized the notion that DeVos’s proposed changes to Obama-era policies on campus rape would be beneficial. In reality, many believe these changes threaten to revert us to a time when sexual assault was often dismissed.
DeVos and the Department of Education recently rescinded the protective guidelines established during the previous administration, making it harder for survivors to seek justice and support. This backward step raises legitimate concerns. Why are we regressing in our approach to such a critical issue?
Sofia Johnson, a prominent advocate and co-founder of the group End Assault on Campus, stated that the intentions of DeVos and her team appear to prioritize the rights of those who commit assault over the safety and dignity of survivors. Are we truly considering the experiences of those who have suffered? Their voices should be our primary concern.
One survivor shared her painful story of being assaulted by someone she knew while intoxicated at a party. Upon waking, she found her clothes inside out and was left shattered, realizing she had been violated. This stark narrative underscores the urgency of addressing the complexities surrounding consent and accountability.
The survivor expressed frustration that political discourse on sexual assault seems to have shifted to the extremes, leaving a moral vacuum where it should not exist. Our lawmakers must take these matters seriously. With DeVos’s recent policy changes, survivors will face even greater hurdles in their pursuit of justice, while offenders walk free.
In another poignant moment, the survivor reflected on her guilt for being “a bad victim” due to her state of intoxication. She noted that many conservative individuals in her life only began to listen to her story after she recounted her experience. This calls for action; we must advocate for change and reject the notion of a “bad victim.” All victims deserve support and understanding, while rapists must be held accountable for their actions.
As we navigate this troubling landscape, we must unite in our efforts to challenge DeVos’s regressive policies. There are resources available to support those affected by sexual violence, including informative articles on donor insemination and helpful insights on boosting fertility that may provide guidance for future family planning. For more on this critical issue, check out this post.
Summary
Betsy DeVos’s recent rollback of protections for campus rape survivors threatens the progress made in supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. Advocates stress the importance of prioritizing survivors’ voices and experiences in policy discussions. Resources exist to assist those impacted by sexual violence, and it’s crucial to unite against regressive policies that undermine justice.