Breaking the Silence: Combatting Sexual Assault in Greek Organizations by Katiera Sordjan

It is often said that people have great strength in numbers. Greek organizations are a crucial part of the college years for many students, and can be a major source of school tradition and pride. They have deep historical roots across the country. However, they also are the source of many controversies and issues on college campuses, mainly due to the sexual violence that surrounds Greek culture. Mixers and parties, usually supplied with alcohol, can be a dangerous breeding ground for sexual misconduct. Requiring new members to be subjected to sexual assault or forced to violate others can be common and unspoken parts of brotherhood and sisterhood. To prevent future incidents and help raise awareness in the school community, multiple groups must come together to ensure a safe social environment for students.

One person’s courage to speak out against the illicit activities of a frat or sorority could have very serious implications for the future of that group. It is in the best interest of these organizations to be aware of their presence on campus, and ensure the well-being of both their own members as well as guests of their houses and parties. Students who feel comfortable and at home in their fraternities or sororities will in turn continue to promote a lively social atmosphere that attracts new, like-minded students. In addition, college and universities must take an active, no-nonsense policy towards their Greek organizations. Students in fraternities and sororities are much more likely to be perpetrators or victims of sexual assault when compared with non-Greek students. Ignoring issues of this nature is at worst morally reprehensible and at best bad business.

To start, male fraternities should discontinue the policies of having female quotas when hosting events or parties. Requiring members to bring groups of women in, as well as discounting entry fees for female students, contributes to an unsafe environment where students can fall victim to sexual violence, particularly under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Any event suspected of having gender ratios should be shut down immediately. Fraternities in these scenarios can be guilty of pressuring members to target female guests, or supplying women with separate batches of alcohol, which may be prepared much stronger or spiked with other drugs. Combined with the hyper-masculine environment of some fraternities, female students can be easily preyed upon. 

Fraternities and sororities should eliminate any type of ritual or initiation that mandates sexual or physical violence. There are many ways to foster bonding and community, as well as have fun introducing new members to the group, besides fear, intimidation, and assault. The group attitudes arising from these Greek traditions can lead to homophobic and sexually violent tendencies. A Greek association that honestly believes they should torture their new members into the community is not one that students should want to be a part of. 

Co-ed fraternities can be a good place to start shifting Greek mindsets. Allowing women to be a part of my Pi Lambda Phi chapter at UPenn has allowed for a very peaceful coexistence of male and female students. Members are very active in groups that combat sexual assault on campus, and seek to make the fraternity house a safe space regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, or background. Harassment during pledge and by party guests towards brothers or other visitors to the house is strictly prohibited. Anyone who feels uncomfortable is encouraged to talk to a male or female brother in the house who can address their concerns. Having spaces where men and women can socialize together may help to diffuse the sexually charged nature of same-sex frats and sororities. 

Other student groups can also play a big role in helping to change social and Greek life. LGBT+ and women’s groups on campus can continue to support students by giving space to the unique needs of students of varying gender identities and sexual orientations. Sexual assault prevention groups, such as the male group One In Four, could partner with fraternities and sororities to host honest, open dialogue about feeling safe while attending Greek parties or pledging. Alcohol and drug education is also very important here. Hearing a student's perspective and experiences would reach a much larger audience than standard school lectures, and help reduce the number of sexual crimes. Student groups must stress the importance of listening to one’s self. If a situation feels dangerous, threatening, or uncomfortable, a student should make every attempt to speak up or leave the event or activity, regardless of the perceived social repercussions. If a student is forced to continue doing anything they do not consent to, the matter should be reported to the proper student affairs faculty. Having student-run workshops and collaborative efforts between organizations will help people feel informed and comfortable regarding the Greek social scene. 

Colleges and universities must enact severe punitive measures and repercussions for Greek organizations that violate students’ health and safety. Going to college means largely being left to yourself and becoming an adult without the constant supervision of teachers and parents. However, schools cannot knowingly turn a blind eye to dangerous and even life-threatening activities happening on or around their campuses. Of course, all students want a place that allows them to socialize and party without the interference of administration. But faculty should be accessible for students who have concerns and inquiries about Greek life, and schools should move to make their organizations a little more transparent. Fraternities and sororities who violate any student should immediately be in danger of losing their chapter. Slaps on the wrist do not help in scenarios where students' lives are at risk. 

Every person coming of age wants to feel like they belong. Especially when attending a larger university or a school a good distance from home, students value having groups they genuinely feel a part of. Greek societies can help fulfill this need, but it should not be at the expense of a student's sexual and physical security. The common attitudes of Greek culture need to change. Brotherhood and sisterhood can still be an exciting and special part of college life without causing harm, and students should not have to suffer in silence because assault is perceived as normal. Sexual assault is never, under any circumstances, justifiable. When we think of how widespread hazing and borderline Stockholm syndrome is in these organizations, it is clear that these changes will not happen overnight. But taking a critical look at Greek life is a crucial part of combatting sexual assault in colleges. Students must learn to respect themselves and each other, and joining together, with the oversight of their schools, will help make socializing something to enjoy instead of fear. 

The Importance of Women's History Month by Katiera Sordjan

     

     Unfortunately, even with the dedication of entire sequential months to a celebration of the achievements of African-Americans and women, the imperativeness of these recognitions is still greatly underestimated. We are halfway through March, yet I have heard little mention of Women's History Month in my neighborhood and local schools. We live in a society that still poorly represents women in its culture, and teaches its girls to feel unsafe and insecure merely because of their gender. Girls deserve to be educated about their histories, so they can feel confident and empowered by female role models. 

     Both men and women still scoff and roll their eyes at feminist movements and celebrations like Women's History Month. They accuse women of wanting to be the same as men (often using the Freudian term penis envy) or have more power than them. But sexism is still alive and well; acquiring the right to vote and hold offices does not mean that women are treated equally and fairly, which is all feminism really asks for. In the words of Winston Churchill, history is written by the victors. A dominating patriarchal society hurts both men and women by confining them to rigid roles, and leaves little room for those who lie outside of the traditional gender binary. 

     Not only have women been barred from important fields historically, but today many still assume that contributions to society are made mostly by men due to some inherent weakness in women. Sandi Toksgiv, a European writer and producer, reflected on an anthropology course she took while studying at Cambridge. Her female professor noted that a bone etched with 28 markings is considered evidence of man's first creation of a calendar. However, only a woman would find significance in marking 28 days, as it represents the average length of the menstrual cycle. Toksgiv wondered how many other achievements of women she had overlooked in her life. This is a question we should be asking ourselves as well. 

     It took time for women to be able to be an active and recognized part of politics, art, and science. Women's History Month recognizes women like Rosalind Franklin, whose crucial role in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA was overlooked in favor of crediting scientists Watson and Crick. It praises women like Rosa Parks, who refused to tolerate the prejudices towards men and women of color. It rallies behind contemporary women like Wendy Davis, who stood in front of a largely male senate for 11 hours to block a bill that would restrict Texan women's reproductive rights. This is not a demand for greater space in the history books than men, but to rewrite the history that has been diminished and concealed, and to tell the stories that are constantly being written by women all over the world every day. 

     It is no surprise that in a culture that encourages female submission and censorship, as well as male aggression and authority, women can be taken advantage of, abused, and will rarely come forward. This is important to think about as we continue our discussion of the issues of sexual assault on college campuses. When a woman is taught that her body is public property, and that her voice is not always worthy of being heard or trusted, we perpetuate a rape culture that causes many women to suffer in silence. 

     The story of our country is one of overcoming adversity and fighting for the freedoms we deserve as citizens. We have a come a long way, but are still fighting to be seen as equals regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or background. We honor the history of women to remember their important role in shaping countries across the globe, and to remind our children to continue to fight for equality and overcome the obstacles of prejudice to fulfill their goals and dreams. 

Football and Assault: How Male Athletic Entitlement Contributes to Rape Culture by Katiera Sordjan

     People have long marveled at the physical prowess and potential of the human body. 

Athleticism has played a powerful role in society. On college campuses, sports are also heavily ingrained. Many students are able to receive scholarships to go to college because of their hard work and athletic talents exhibited in high school. In turn, these schools can raise funds through their sports events. Most notable are the football teams, which attract many students, both as spectators and participants. The sport represents what many Americans feel to be one of the great pastimes of the country. A look at the enormous revenue generated during Super Bowl weekend can attest to that.

     I recall somewhat bitterly the affairs of my high school football team. At pep rallies, other teams were given brief recognition, while each football player got an individual mini-biography. Lawnmowers and landscapers painstakingly poured over the football field every day, while students indoors didn't even have proper desks or textbooks at times.

Even in college, I must remember that the distinguished title of Ivy League was not originally used to describe my school’s academics, but its elite sports status. 

     This special treatment can lead these athletes (who are virtually all male, in the case of football) to feel a sense of entitlement over their peers. Football is also a contact sport, and one could argue that players are encouraged to be combative and aggressive, as well as pressured by their coaches, peers, and families to succeed. It should come as no surprise that this behavior extends outside the field.

     I knew a few players who consistently expected to be allowed to bend the rules. They refused to even attempt homework on days when they had games, and demanded their teachers move test and homework dates or let them skip the work altogether. They were aware of the prestigious place they held in our high school, which was often valued more than academic success itself, and used it to their advantage.

     The Steubenville rape case is a prime example of the learned sense of entitlement of male athletes, as well as the sympathy they receive from others. The football players had no issue with being aggressors and taking what they wanted from an incapacitated girl. Respectable media outlets such as CNN lamented over the fact that Mays and Richmond had ruined their shot at an athletic career, instead of illustrating them as what they are: rapists. The victim was not only repeatedly assaulted, but was publicly humiliated and shamed instead of being defended. Why does the presence of alcohol make the victim blameworthy for the crime, but the athletic status of her attackers is an excuse?

     Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker writer and bestselling author, shocked Penn students when he gave a speech at our school suggesting football be eliminated completely. He claimed that the school puts students at risk for a dangerous condition known as CTE, which can lead to depression and suicidality from repeated traumatic brain injury, merely for the sake of entertainment and financial gain. Many, especially the football players, were offended by this notion. 

     Many Americans are obsessed with their sports, and are willing to put their children at risk for the sake of fame and money. Parents push their kids into athletics at a very young age in the hopes that they will be successful, but very few will go pro. Even if we are unwilling to give up our more dangerous sports, like football, we must not teach the young people who play them that their actions are without consequence. 

    Individualism has a cost; it leads us to glorify students like Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond for their physical control and simultaneously shun their victim for lacking it. While the boys received sympathy for being young athletic stars who simply did not know any better (“boys will be boys”), the similarly young girl was expected to be responsible. Underage drinking is illegal, but it does not excuse a violent crime. Of course, many athletes and men are good students and upstanding members of society. But teaching and reinforcing hyper-masculinity and blamelessness contributes to a victim-blaming rape culture that robs survivors of their dignity well after their attack.

Is Athlete Culture a breeding ground for rapes? by blogger Snehal Gajare

Wohoo! We won the match. He is a star, one of his kind, the best player in the town...............such are the thoughts crossing the minds of young freshmen fans. A few months later, Oh My God! This can’t be true. The sports icon of the college can’t be a rapist............shocked are the freshmen fans. Quite surprising but the fact is Athlete culture has been a breeding ground for rapes.

Obsession with sports has been a significant reason for the eruption of a sympathetic wave towards the sports icons allegedly involved in rapes. The reason being most of the fans and the spectators consider their sports icons as an epitome of masculinity which in turn leaves the athletes with a feeling of condescension towards others. This pursuit of entitlement drives the athletes to engage in activities fostering sexual assaults.  Most of us often forget masculinity has nothing to do with entitlement; indeed a true man is the one who respects women and men equally. Misogyny is also cited as one of the important reasons for the rise of rape culture.

The University/ High school is under a moral obligation to protect the victim and not to favour the sexual offenders.  It was quite evident in the Steubenville case that the main emphasis was laid on stigmatising the victim and not the rapists. The Maryville case was no different. Victim blaming and shielding the accused (star players of the high school) had been the agenda of the high school.

The sexual assaults trials involving star players often ask for compelling physical evidence with a presumption that the superstar is innocent. Is this some kind of a joke? The victim has a life too. She has lost her identity, her self confidence, self respect and is marooned in the nightmares of the ill-fated day. Life will never be the same for her and the trials are based on the presumptions of accused to be innocent?

When USA today research about 168 sexual assault cases involving 164 athletes, only 22 cases went on their respective trials and a mere 6 cases resulted in convictions of the accused. This in simple terms is a burial of justice and I strongly condemn such trials where a status of a person is more important than a human life.

Rape Prevention by blogger Shaleen

It is common knowledge that many traditional families instill the thought that men should “protect” women but when it comes to stopping or acknowledging a possible sexual assault, many question themselves. We see all the time in movies that when men see an assault, he stutters or questions himself and how he would be viewed. Many colleges are stopping the victim from speaking out of even pressing charges. The lack of prevention is outstanding because educated human beings should know that it is not a woman’s fault, ever.

Women are taught to not get raped instead of men getting taught not to rape. It’s a simple enough concept but then again, it happens. Zerlina Maxwell from Ebony.com, wrote an article called, “5 Ways We Can Teach Men Not to Rape.” I understand where articles like the get their theme of the article but that thought should be instilled in everyone from birth. It should not have to be taught.

Every man and woman are responsible for their actions, including not stopping someone be raped. Education equals prevention. There are many men who are feminists from Jimmy Carter to Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Where these men consider themselves a feminist or the media spanned their words, I’ll never know. All that aside, feminism is the radical notion that all women are human beings.

The epidemic of Rape culture - by blogger Snehal

What is Rape culture? There is no single generic definition of Rape culture as it incorporates all acts, images, laws, prevalent attitudes, jokes, norms, words etc that considers sexual coercion and violence against women to be normal; thus making rape an inevitable act. Rape culture is a social evil often misconstrued to be a mere nonexistent term, unacceptable in the social arena. The fact is Rape culture is an offspring of the social mindset that nourishes misogyny, violent masculinity and inequality among the sexes, hence making it a no big deal situation. Objectification of women is so deep rooted in the world outside that stigmatizing overpowers humanity and rape survivors have to face the socio-political, socio – cultural wrath.

The tendency to blame the rape victims is backed by the thought process and decisive beliefs of the fault finding observers. It is assumed that the victim has done something concrete to attract the assault. If stigmatization is so important then stigmatize the rapist for his wrong .When social pressures are asserted to victimize the rape survivors, they end up building a prison full of faults in their minds. Such an internal suffocation injures the victim gravely in comparison to the physical one.  The perpetrators are not solely responsible for creation of this rape culture; it is also the society who should take equal responsibility for letting this rape culture affirm its roots. So let us all pledge today to uproot this rape culture and destroy it forever.

Here is how we can put an end to the rape culture:

1.       Co-relating rape to the attire of the victim is not appropriate. Women wearing long, full, decent dresses have also been raped.

2.       Teaching boys and girls to respect each other. As a parent or a teacher it is our duty to imbibe the qualities of compassion, empathy and kindness in your children/ students. This will mould them to be good human beings.

3.       Men should also step forward to condemn rape and rape culture. Likewise, it is better to teach boys not to rape girls than teaching girls not to get raped.

4.       Rape is not inevitable. Never consider it to be one. It is a serious issue that needs to be addressed properly. It is important to penalize the perpetrators of rape.

5.       Stop blaming the victims for rapes. It’s not their fault. Never be a dumb bystander witnessing sexual assault. Try fighting it out.

As a feminist, I feel rape culture is the result of ignorance and illiteracy concerning rape. Friends, it’s time that we work together to spread awareness and eradicate this epidemic that not only disgraces women but also wounds their souls.