Students in Action

Student activism – an initiative for rape prevention by blogger Snehal

“Please don’t drink too much”, “Don’t wear a provocative dress”, “Don’t go alone at night “, “Carry a pepper spray”..............................are the ‘rape preventive advices’ given to young women on college campuses. Agreed, these advices are for good but the underlying question that pops up is why the need for such advices has come up? Women who don’t drink, who are always dressed in full clothing, who hang out with friends at night are also raped. I’m not saying that only women are raped. Even men are subjected to rape but the question still remains unanswered.  Why sexual assaults are so highly prevalent in the society out there?  Is there a conclusive concrete answer?

Campus rapes have also increased in the past decades. News flashes on television, internet and newspapers have seriously condemned the failure of several educational institutions and universities in handling the issues of sexual assaults on campus. Moreover, students should not stand such injustice any longer. It is the time for some real action. Students have to join hand with campus and community events that work for ending sexual violence. The success of such events is determined by the extent of participation and involvement of the students and the community.

There have been several incidents where the student activists groups have been successful in pressurizing the college administration in imposing strict policies and actions against sexual crimes and sexual offenders on campus. Each one of us has to understand that sexual violence is neither inherent nor inevitable. Never perceive rape to be an individual’s case. Today someone was a victim tomorrow it may be you, your friends or loved ones.  The inspiring change begins only when students come forward and connect the dots on campuses. This will surely emerge as an unprecedented wave of student activism on campus.

It has been noted that numerous educational institutions have reformed their judicial policies for handling rapes on campuses as a result of student activism. Student rallies, workshops for supporting the rape victims, activities demanding compliance of strict rules on campus have geared a lot of support over the recent years. Such initiatives will also help in emboldening the students to break their silence, come forward and share their respective stories or file their complaints. Remember, a healthy campus is one where students feel safe to live, breathe, move and study.

To conclude, I shall repeat the lyrics of Michael Jackson’s song: Heal the world, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race.