Addressing Gender-Based Violence on Campus
Monday, Nov. 25 was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day began the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global movement ending on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
16 Days of Activism’s goal
The goal is to promote gender equality and demand an end to the many insidious forms of violence against women and girls. Below are statistics and thoughts from members of the Wright State community about gender-based violence and how to address it, starting on their own campus.
Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence is defined as an attempt to abuse, control or harm someone based on their gender.
Jessica Barnett is an Associate Professor of Sociology at WSU with an emphasis on sexuality and social justice, and in 2016 she published a study on gender-based violence in Kenya.
According to Barnett, gender-based violence can take numerous forms, including physical violence, sexual assault, stalking and harassment, emotional abuse and economic exploitation. These acts can happen to anyone, but certain populations are especially at risk.
“Those who occupy marginalized or disempowered social locations have a greater likelihood of experiencing sexual violence, including those with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, those assigned female at birth, those who are low-income or first-generation, and Black women,” Barnett explained.
A 2021 World Health Organization report estimates that 1 in 3 women globally experience physical and/or sexual gender-based violence in their lifetime.
Violence on campus
The WSU Title IX Department is responsible for promoting gender equality and addressing issues of inequality on campus.
Kate Page, Title IX Coordinator, says that the most common forms of violence she has seen on campus include sexual assault and domestic violence. She also notes that gendered discrimination on campus may indirectly contribute to acts of violence.
Barnett also mentions stalking and sexual harassment as common forms of gender-based violence among college students.
According to the American Association of University Professors, “Women in the traditional age range for college students—from eighteen to twenty-one—are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women in any other age group, and college-bound women are at greater risk than their non-college-bound peers.”
Prevention and Recovery
One promising form of violence prevention is bystander intervention training.
According to Barnett, “Research on systemic bystander intervention training for college students has shown promising results in lowering rates of sexual violence on college campuses.”
She adds that bystander intervention training empowers students to identify and take action in situations that may become violent or promote violence.
“Systemic training promotes a culture of awareness and commitment to community safety,” says Barnett.
For those already impacted by gender-based violence, the Title IX Department is a source of support.
“Anyone, regardless of gender identity, can report to our office and get support and resources if and when they need it,” Page said.
Support from Title IX can include emotional support, reporting assistance or referrals to a different office equipped for the student’s needs. Other resources related to Title IX include Student Advocacy; Counseling and Wellness; Campus Police; and Residence Life, who can provide temporary safe housing if necessary.
Title IX can help assess the situation and what action, if any, can be taken. If they determine that a crime has occurred based on the information provided, they are obligated to report. However, students can choose whether their names are included in the report.
“It’s all based on what the person who has been harmed in the situation wants to see happen,” Page said.
She emphasizes that anyone can experience gender-based violence and seek support from campus resources.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence may remind the WSU community of its responsibility to promote a campus culture free of gender-based violence in all its forms.
