A recent article in The Daily Princetonian ("Student sues Tiger Inn, University," March 31, 2008) describes a lawsuit concerning an alleged sexual assault perpetrated against a senior two years ago. This column does not presume to know the facts of the case brought against TI and the University. At this point, no one is qualified to make any informed statements about the legitimacy of the lawsuit. Rather, I take issue with the manner in which the subject of the suit is addressed, directing students' conversation away from the matter of rape. Instead of discussing how the environment on campus may be a dangerous one that leaves students vulnerable to sexual assault, on-campus discussion questions the legitimacy of the lawsuit and the monetary compensation involved.
To direct conversation toward a skeptical perception of the case draws attention from the issue of rape. Instead of concentrating on the aspect of assault that the case brings forward, the article insists on the monetary compensation that will be gained. It is a cop-out to ignore the assault and concentrate on money. This leads to a campus conversation about the character of the alleged victim. This is exactly the problem.
Regardless of how this specific lawsuit turns out, how we respond to this case will significantly affect future survivors of assault. While we may not want to think that our fellow students may be capable of committing such a horrific act, it is imperative that we create an environment of support rather than one of skepticism when someone finds the courage to speak out.
Only about 5 percent of sexual assault survivors ever report to the police. When those that do find courage to confront the assault speak up, we should lend them our support.
Survivors understandably come forward to seek justice. No one is ever condemned for seeking retribution for a wrong done to him. Yet when it comes to rape and other forms of sexual violence, survivors who speak up experience what can be likened to social annihilation. We must realize that survivors speak up for the benefit of everyone. They are motivated by the knowledge that in speaking up, they may prevent others from experiencing the trauma that they have had to endure.
A civil suit is a survivor's last legal recourse in the judicial system. Institutions are not usually willing to change practices without some external pressure. That a change should be sought in perhaps the most efficient way - through the courts - is an action that should be supported.
So why is the University being sued? It is naive to believe that eating clubs are completely independent of the University administration since such a large part of the student body is involved in these clubs. Collaboration between the two entities will ensure greater levels of participation to bring about safety. What can the University do to ensure greater safety when it comes to assault? There should be consent-based, mandatory SHARE training for each eating club before the bicker/sign-in process. This would allow for an assessment of the nature of the bicker and initiation processes. We cannot continue to blindly adhere to traditions, as these continue to be damaging and destructive to the University community.
We do not know why this young lady came forward now. What we do know is that survivors are too often doubted, ridiculed and made to relive the trauma of an abuse again, simply because of the community's reaction. Instead of perpetrating this standard of re-abusing, let us examine the factors that facilitate assault. What can we do to eliminate the occurrence of sexual violence on our campus?
In solidarity with all whose cases of assault have been dismissed for frivolous reasons, please join us in wearing jeans tomorrow for a purpose. At 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25, come Take Back the Night with us on the South Lawn of Frist Campus Center. Let's show that we will not sit quietly and watch violence continue.
Lady Adjepong is a member of SpeakOut. She can be reached at adjepong@princeton.edu.
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