Keeping Our Girls Safe: Challenging Rape Culture on College Campuses

I was profoundly shaped by the women’s movement. I believe in equality between the sexes and understand all too well that it does not exist. I make my living working for an international organization that helps women and girls live empowered lives. I married a man who believes in feminism for the same reasons I do, and we have raised our daughter, Eden, with this worldview as well.

Eden’s dad and I have always stressed the importance of women being able to earn a living. We’ve told her she must be able to take care of herself and her future children because life doesn’t always turn out the way you plan. She’s a science and math girl who plans on becoming an engineer—a field where women continue to be underrepresented. And, according to a new study of women in the sciences, 2/3 of those surveyed reported being sexually harassed or assaulted.

We have done our best to prepare her when she heads off to college in two short years, but our anxiety has only increased with the recent release of the White House report on sexual assault on college campuses.

One in five women will be sexually assaulted during their time in college, usually by someone they know.

Most won’t report it for fear of victim blaming, retribution, or because they are embarrassed or feel guilty. Many find it difficult to continue their education. Given our sexualized culture of disrespect, the report didn’t particularly shock me. What did surprise me is the lengths to which universities have gone to cover up their problem and protect the guilty parties (often high ranking athletes). That is unconscionable.

So what can we do to further prepare our daughter?

• Continue to relay fundamental safety information: Use common sense. Don’t go out alone. Don’t leave a party or bar with someone you don’t know, avoid situations where a lot of drinking is occurring and never leave a drink unattended. Trust your intuition: if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.
• Research potential college choices to determine their handling of sexual assaults.
• Encourage our daughters and sons to create a campus culture where women are valued and protected.
• Use our power as donors, or would-be donors, to demand accountability.
• Hold college administrations responsible for creating clear and simple processes to address sexual violence and protect women on their campuses.

These two years are going to fly by, and then it will be time to push our baby from the nest. We will keep our fingers crossed and pray our girl has a safe and happy college experience.

Darlene is the Senior Director of Membership & Marketing for Soroptimist International of the Americas; a devoted mom to her college-bound daughter, Eden; a dog-lover, especially her own little rascals, Dobo and Drizzle; and passionate about ensuring all women and girls live free from violence.