In light of recent events, there has been a marked increase in interest and talk on campus regarding many of the issues surrounding sexual assault and disrespect. As a PA, I have felt relief combined with increased sadness and frustration. On the one hand, I have felt comforted by the fact that so many people are now paying attention to this issue; however, there is also frustration in knowing that the case garnering so much publicity is only one of several other unfortunate incidents that occur on campus each year. Perhaps we do not all read the Clery report on campus crime statistics carefully, nor do we all examine the yearly reports closely enough to notice that historically there have been other reported incidents. We all despair in the lack of voice given to victims/survivors on campus yet we know that the environment here at Amherst is certainly not conducive to exposing oneself in breaking the silence and coming forward.
At the same time, I am encouraged by the discourse that has stemmed from recent events. There are more people thinking about the definition of rape, what it means to be a friend of either a victim/survivor or a perpetrator of an alleged rape (or both), and how people we love can experience such an event, especially here at our sleepy little College on the Hill. I am sure we have all heard the statistic that one in every four college women has been a victim/survivor of a rape, along with the fact that within the United States, every two and a half minutes someone is sexually assaulted, or at least we should have since some of these statistics are relayed during Orientation. But as Pat Savage '07 was quoted saying in the article by Jenny Kim in the Nov. 9 issue of The Student, "It never felt real to me until it actually happened to my friend."
Well, now it is out in the open folks. It happens here at Amherst. It happens in our social dorms, our first-year dorms, our quiet dorms, our party dorms; it happens on our quads. It happens within the confines of our community. And it happens off-campus to members of our community. This is not to scare you from walking alone at night, partially because according to a 1997 survey, 77 percent of rapes committed were perpetrated by someone the victim/survivor knew. This is not meant to blow the issue out of proportion-one sexual assault to someone who is part of our community ought to be viewed as already out of proportion. This is to remind you of the reality here at Amherst.
The reality is that sexual abuse exists at Amherst. There is another reality that has not been publicized enough and that is the fact that if a report is translated into a court case, the perpetrator of the alleged crime is just that, a perpetrator of an alleged crime. This is a delicate manner because when we hear details of crimes, we often draw conclusions based on inadequate information. Yes, we can see that what allegedly happened is terrible. We must strike a balance between supporting the victim/survivor and allowing the outcome of the case to define the legal parameters of the incident. In the increased discourse on campus, we must keep an open mind and listen to the thoughts of those around us, think about what we say before we make statements and take into consideration that maybe someone as close to us as our roommate or suitemate has experienced sexual assault. We must attempt to make this campus a safe place for victims/survivors to speak, recognizing that this now-quiet community that exists at Amherst is not restricted to the female population.
I write as one who has been pinned down under the weight of both my perpetrator and the burden of carrying that alone. I write as one who has watched a man struggle through the realization that he sexually assaulted his close female friend. I write as a fellow Amherst student. I write to you. Do you want this campus to be one of respect or do you want this trend to continue in the dark shadows of the unknown? By discussing this issue now and promoting a healthier, safer environment, perhaps we can reduce the incidents that occur-thereby being proactive instead of reactive. The challenge is to you to start making the changes, beginning with respecting one another in everyday interactions.
Armour can be reached at adarmour@amherst.edu
Alison Armour is a Peer Advocate of Sexual Respect.
The Peer Advocates can be reached at x7916.