Op-Eds do not reflect the editorial opinion of The Daily Free Press. They are solely the opinion of the author.
Boston University Alert Service: “On Oct. 18 a female student reported that… an unknown male suspect entered her room… and sexually assaulted her.”
As a BU student myself, receiving this text was terrifying. It is incidents like these that show why sexual assault needs to be properly addressed at BU. While the administration has acknowledged the issue in BU’s [Sexual Misconduct] Climate Survey, no preventative measures have been taken. This needs to change.
Through the course Project Citizen, a group of fellow students and I came up with a new policy for sexual assault at BU. We propose that BU implement an annual, mandatory seminar on sexual assault to educate students on facts, consent and how to be an active bystander, as well as raise awareness, promote advocacy and start a discussion about sexual assault at BU. Our goal is to make the seminar engaging and educational, so even potentially reluctant students will pay attention, learn and have candid discussions. If we can get students informed and talking, we have a much better chance of preventing sexual assault.
Want to support this policy? Email or tweet Dean Elmore using #BUPreventionPolicy, telling him you want sexual assault prevention measures taken at BU.
Alissa Winter, winter18@bu.edu
Project Citizen Team
Boston University School of Education