Corrective rape – an offspring of Hate crimes – by blogger Snehal Gajare

Humanity is considered to be the greatest of all religions; but are these preaching confined only to our books/speeches or they can also be incorporated into our demeanour too? I was extremely shocked to read an article that spoke about “Corrective rape” in South Africa.  “Corrective rape” is a horrifying practice of raping the people from the LGBTQ community to ‘cure ‘them of their sexual orientation. Raping someone because he/she is gay/lesbian/bisexual or a transgender? There have been several reports that speak of families knowingly enlisting men to rape their lesbian relatives to “correct” their sexual orientation.  Is this humane? This is nothing but a hate crime. Sometimes our humanitarian homophobic inclinations as a society can exacerbate fears and threats in lives of several others and make it a living hell.

Another article revealed about the plight of the students belonging to the LGBTQ community who were raped on the college campus. College life stories are all about education, friendships, independence and growing up as an individual; but to a lot of students such stories are filled with episodes of sexual assaults. A study by American Association of University women revealed that more than 70 percent of the LGBTQ students had encountered sexual harassment from the campus employees, faculty members and fellow students at the college. The study also reads that such violent assaults on LGBTQ students are perceived as a violent attempt to oppress those who are challenging social norms around sexuality and gender. Moreover, even if assault cases are reported, neither the hospitals not the universities/colleges are very equipped to deal with rapes cases in the LGBTQ community. The scenario is no different when a straight person reports rape. Our “temples of learning” are turning into dungeons with such an alarming rate of sexual assaults on campuses.

The main purpose of writing this article is to create awareness among the people that “Hate” should not be used as a weapon to ruin someone’s life. If you don’t like someone for whatever reason, that’s your personal opinion. But this hatred does not grant you an advantage to rape the other person. One cannot commit rape under the veil of correcting the LGBTQ community. Rape is Rape. It doesn't matter whether you are LGBTQ or straight. At the end of the day you are a human being and there cannot be a convincing explanation for committing rape.

Gaining Momentum: How the Media Helps Students Raise Awareness by Saint Louis University blogger Abigail

Just last month, a chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity was removed from Texas Tech University for displaying a sheet sign that read “No Means Yes, Yes Means Anal” outside their house. While this sign is obviously a disgusting example of the reality of rape culture on college campuses, the quick removal of the chapter by the university (the event occurred September 19, 2014 and the charter was revoked the first week of October), as well as the response of students hanging contrasting sheet signs around campus that said “No means No” shows that the university community was able to respond quickly to media coverage of this fraternity’s indiscretion, and raise awareness about sexual assault on their campus with a clearly necessary reminder.

In New York, students are carrying the weight of sexual assault until change happens in the way the University handles sexual assault. The media has allowed the students to reach a huge network of people all over the country, and therefore gain support for their cause.

However, the media tends, more frequently, to spread the idea that sexual assault is ok – victim shaming is everywhere on the internet, from a comment on the aforementioned Phi Delta Theta article which reads “drunk women are the downfall of fraternities” to a Time article that explains that Columbia’s protestors are being charged $1500 to clean up after the protests.

Media allows both positive and negative commentary to be spread, allows people to get attention for many things, and can cause any movement to gain or lose momentum. If used correctly, the media can be a hugely positive outlet for students trying to raise awareness on their campuses.

Students Speaking Out on Campus by Blogger Jade

When you are a college student, it may seem like the ‘real world’ is a ways a way.  Ahhh I’m going to have a real job soon, not be able to naps in between classes, and have the responsibility of all my own bills and expenses.  I remember feeling this way and also feeling like my opinions and my voice did not have that big of an impact. 

In October on campus we celebrated domestic abuse awareness month.  This was this first time I noticed students on campus speaking out, scratch that maybe it was the first time I really listened.  I was taking a Women’s Rights class and was learning about obviously women’s rights so I became interested in the activities surrounding domestic abuse awareness month.  One activity was Women on Wednesdays, this actually happened throughout the semester and featured women speakers on a variety of topics.  During the month of October domestic abuse and sexual abuse survivors told their stories.  Some were older women who spoke at a variety of venues, others were panels of survivors that told their stories, and would answer questions from the audience. 

It was very powerful to hear the stories of all the women, but something really spoke to me when I heard the stories of fellow students.  Here were people my age telling their stories of survival and having an impact on their peer group.  It seems to me that I generally put forth a larger effort to listen to someone I can relate to.  Now upon reflection I can realize the importance of students speaking out, it holds so much power.

As I approached the end of my undergrad I was asked to sit on a panel during a Women on Wednesday, and I declined, due to some frivolous work conflict.  I really wish I would have taken that opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with my peer group.  I greatly regret not taking this opportunity to realize my voice and the impact it could have had on students.

This semester when you are on campus and students are speaking out about something that interests you take the time to stop and listen.  It may learn something about yourself or it just might in a way change your life.  Also if you get the opportunity to speak out on campus take it, what you have to say can impact someone else's life.

Rise For What Is RIght by Benedictine University blogger Karly Sacco

The media is a huge influence on what people do and say every day. It is subliminally impacting us young adults through music, movies, fashion and everything in between. There really is no way to escape the pressure of being just like some celebrities. The worst part is that most of them don’t even look like how the media portrays them in the magazines and on television. Take away the airbrushes and the magic of Photoshop and they are just like all of us, an every day person. The media holds us to such high standards that quite honestly are not realistic. This is a problem especially for people in their early 20’s. We sometimes become afraid to speak our minds because we don’t want to be judged by what others think of us. The idea that if we do not act “normal” or what is thought of as normal, all eyes will be on us. College students have become afraid to raise awareness about important issues that happen on campus because of this very idea. This notion needs some rethinking.

A lot of people are afraid of the idea of standing out and being different. Although, being put under a spot light isn’t always a bad thing. If you are standing up for something that you believe in and want to make a difference, then by all means please speak your mind. I feel that the college life is the same for most people. Get up, go to class, eat, study, and hang out with friends. Most people have a routine and it is hard for them to break it. Most people just got about their days seeing and hearing things that they want to speak up about, but are too nervous to say anything. I feel that the media made society this way. They have put the idea in our heads that fitting in and confiding to the every day norm is something we should all be doing.

We need to break the norm and prove people wrong. Stand up for what is right and don’t care what other people think about you. If you see or hear something about someone being a victim of a sexual assault, don’t be afraid to get him or her help. On the other hand, if you are the victim, do not be scared to get help as well. You are not alone and you will not be judged.

The media gives people the power to believe that they can be something that they are not. A sexual assault attacker could use this power in a negative way. College is a time for learning and discovering yourself. Learn what is right and what is wrong with the media and do not let it influence you to be someone you’re not, somebody perfect, someone that is non-realistic. Just be you and you can raise awareness and stop hiding behind a digital wall. Facebook and Twitter are not going to help you when serious issues like sexual assault occur on your campus. Action needs to be made in person. So put your cellphone down, close your laptops for a few hours, and confront the reality of spreading awareness.