Neglecting the victims — Sexual assault cases should be taken more seriously at UI

Recently, two University of Idaho students, an alleged victim and the man accused of assaulting her, sued the school, claiming it mishandling their sexual assault case.

The victim alleges in federal court that the school magnified her emotional distress by not providing proper accommodations. The complaint was filed Oct. 12. Her alleged attacker is also suing, arguing UI did not follow proper hearing procedures and that Title IX staff were not properly trained.

While the suit has sparked local conversation about sexual assault, the issue has been a large topic on the national level over the last several months.

Early in October, the New York Times broke a story revealing dozens of women accused film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexually harassing them. Earlier, in September, Education Secretary Betsy Devos strayed from Obama-era guidance that demanded colleges use “preponderance of evidence”— the more convincing evidence rather than the amount of evidence.

Some have argued this pull back will make it harder for victims to come forward, while others have said the previous guidance took away the assailant’s due process.

Regardless, sexual assault is not uncommon on college campuses. From 1995 to 2013, college females were more likely to have been raped or sexually assaulted than any other demographic, according to a U.S. Department of Justice 2014 report. Yet, about 80 percent of student victims do not report the assault or rape to police.

This means when sexual assaults are reported, they should be taken all the more seriously. Universities must ensure both the victim and the accused are given the proper platforms for discussion and the victim can continue their studies in a safe environment until a conclusion is reached.

This does not mean, when students share a class, the victim should be told to either deal with facing his or her abuser or listen to recorded lectures at home, as the victim in the UI case alleges she was told to do.

While the university has programming in place to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment, such as Green Dot — a violence prevention organization — not all sexual assaults have been or will be stopped.

If a friend tells you they have been sexually assaulted, believe them and support them. Guide them to resources that will help them take the next step. If you have been sexually assaulted, take care of yourself and if you are comfortable, reach out to others for help.

Though some may be less willing to trust the university’s procedures after recent news, the resources can still be beneficial, and there are also resources not affiliated with the university to turn to.

On their violence prevention programs webpage, the university recommends after an assault takes place, the victim find a safe space, call for help, preserve evidence, write down details and seeks medical attention. Washing off, even brushing teeth, can get rid of evidence that could prove an assaulter guilty.

Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse offers a 24-hour helpline at 208-883-HELP (4357). There are also places on-campus students can go to talk about the occurrence.

Confidential on-campus resources include the Counseling and Testing Center, the Student Health Clinic and Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse, which recently opened an office in Blake House. Confidential resources cannot disclose any information without the individual’s permission or extenuating circumstances.

The Women’s Center is a semi-confidential resource, meaning employees must report the crime and where it occurred, but not who was involved or specific details.

The Office of the Dean of Students, the LGBTQA Office and the Moscow Police Department are all non-confidential on-campus resources.

When it seems that sexual assault victims have trouble finding solace in their communities and now even their university home, the discussion must remain open. As a student body and as members of the Moscow community, we must attempt to help — especially when it has become harder and harder to trust those we once thought could provide help most.

— NR

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