April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, calling attention to the critical issue of sexual violence and colleges’ frequent failures to confront it.
Sexual violence made up 43% of total on-campus crimes in 2022, according to the American Psychological Association.
According to an April 17 article from The Echo, two students said senior public relations student Jeromy Hunt harassed them.
One, a freshman, filed a police report Aug. 27, and the second, a sophomore, filed a report March 31.
Hunt is an active member of the UCA community, serving as the president of the UCA Gospel Choir, the vice president of the Students for the Propagation of Black Culture club and a program coordinator for the Black/Brown Male Achievement Challenge program.
He currently serves as a UCA Dining intern and was also admitted to the College Student Personnel and Administration Graduate Program at UCA.
Knowing he has leverage in the community as a leader makes the accusations more disturbing; knowing he was asked to meet with Title IX Coordinator Adam Rose but not Dean of Students Kelly Owens makes the administration’s handling of the situation feel questionable.
Students caught with marijuana face harsher consequences.
When properly addressed, university policies to prevent and punish sexual misconduct are worthwhile, but often, people in power neglect to take victims seriously.
Even if the accusations are false, they must be properly investigated.
Not doing so sends a paralyzing message to potential victims — even if you are brave enough to report it, nothing is guaranteed to happen.
According to the American Psychological Association, 90% of assaults on campuses are not reported, and women in their first year of college are at a higher risk of being sexually assaulted.
The lack of accountability makes it easier for predators to take advantage of students and perpetuates the myth that there is no hope for victims.
Victims are typically shamed for not reporting an incident, but in this case, they did what was expected and still didn’t receive enough help.
The administration should do more to investigate sexual misconduct accusations, not only to help the victims but to demonstrate to students the power of coming forward.
It is difficult to imagine the number of cases that already go unreported, but how many more will be buried after victims see what happens to those who turn to the police?
According to the UCAPD 2022-23 Clergy Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, there were two on-campus rapes in 2020, four in 2021 and two in 2022. There were two resident hall rapes in 2020, four in 2021 and two in 2022.
The mandatory Title IX training for students is not an effective tool to combat sexual misconduct or to teach students about the importance of enthusiastic consent.
While the intent is there, students can simply walk away from the computer as the video plays, look up the answers and still earn credit.
If UCA wants to prevent sexual misconduct, it should implement more comprehensive sex education that cannot be easily ignored and ensure that reports are not shoved under the rug.