Grossly inadequate efforts to ‘Combat Sex Crimes on Campus’

The New England Center for Investigative Reporting at Boston University released its own report on campus sexual assault that concentrated on schools in New England. Unsurprisingly, Tufts is included in this report; I have been repeatedly told from various sources how Tufts has a chronic problem of mistreating sexual violence survivors who have forward. It infuriates me that changing their policies and practices have not been more of a priority for them. The statements released are just one of many attempts in giving a semblance of concern for survivors and a true understanding of the sexual violence issue.

Tufts University, …which reported 48 sexual assaults to the Justice Department, has also never issued reprimands, sent the accused in those cases for counseling, or required them to do community service, the data show. Tufts has been given $1.3 million in campus grant funds since 1999, Justice Department records show.

In a written statement, Kim Thurler, Tufts spokeswoman, said the federal statistics do not reflect Tufts’ efforts to combat sex crimes on campus. Thurler said most Tufts students who report sexual assault do not want to pursue discipline, but she declined to provide specific numbers.

I would argue that the numbers are actually higher than I expected and it’s a damn shame that this many survivors came forward and NEVER has there been any punishment for sexual misconduct. Indeed, the numbers don’t reflect Tufts’ efforts because there are little to none. Not only are the prevention programs inadequate and easy to avoid during your whole Tufts career, it is easier to be punished for copying homework than raping your classmate.

‘‘Tufts is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all members of our community feel safe and respected,’’ reads a statement from the university.

See, this is where my personal survivor status upsets me. I have not seen any of this commitment.  I have experienced victim-blaming and apathy first hand on many levels – academic deans, the Dean of Students office, police officers, etc. That does not sound like these people were working together to create a place where I felt safe and DEFINITELY not respected. The people I dealt with knew NOTHING about being respectful to me (or merely did not care to do so – perhaps I was not worth of their respect).

I know that not just sexual violence survivors have not been respected on campus or feel safe. How do these spokespeople know what is going on? How can we speak to the administration members about the transgressions committed against us?

Tufts no longer has the Department of Justice grant to combat violence such as sexual assault. Apparently they didn’t see that the money that they could have received from it worth the time to apply for a renewal.

I know there are claims for work to be done for reform, but I just don’t see any evidence to support that. More students are upset that underage drinkers are getting “too harsh” sanctions. When will the school commit this much time to fighting rape?