Dear Editor,

I want to propose to you a bold and necessary idea: we can stop sexual assault at TCU. We have all agreed that sexual assault is a problem on our campus, but we have not yet agreed that it is something we can fight.

It is time not only to agree on the real possibility of ending sexual assault at TCU, but also to start the difficult yet productive conversation of how it will be done. Many good and valuable ideas exist, but I would like to start the conversation by presenting some of mine, many of which are a part of our Not On My Campus campaign to end sexual assault.

First and foremost, we must end the silence surrounding sexual assault by talking openly about what sexual assault is and its prevalence on campus. This equips everyone with the same understanding of the problem and that universal understanding will lead students to create solutions in their groups and their individual lives. Ending the silence also publically demonstrates the support victims need to promptly report an incident, which can lead to a more effective judicial process.

Not On My Campus aims to end the silence by blanketing our campus with informational signs, sharing a video stating our commitment and asking students to take a public stance against sexual assault by taking and sharing a picture.

After this week, everyone will know sexual assault is defined as “any sexual activity without voluntary consent,” 1 in 4 women and 1 in 16 men will be victims in their time in college and 90 percent of victims know the perpetrator. That is powerful information without which a solution cannot be built.

Second, we must create new norms that unequivocally oppose sexual assault. There are few things more compelling than the clearly defined internal boundaries of what is right and wrong; norms dictate a large part of our behavior. This is why widespread involvement in Not On My Campus is so important- it makes our new norm clear and undeniable. It shows potential perpetrators that sexual assault is wrong and will not be tolerated by anyone, under any circumstance.

Many have called this “raising awareness,” but it is much more than that. With every picture, sign, and yes, social media “like,” we are together changing culture and defining our new norm. It is crucial that we continue our support of this new norm in our daily lives by always denouncing sexual assault and perpetrators, supporting victims and prioritizing thoughtful, voluntary consent in sexual encounters – “is that ok?” should be the norm.

Third, we must equip ourselves with the tools we need to identify and intervene in dangerous situations- this means every Horned Frog must participate in bystander intervention training. Training takes much longer than snapping a photo or liking a Facebook page, but it has been widely proven as the one of the most effective ways to prevent sexual assault before it happens. I am currently working together with IFC to bring this training to every new member in the fall and I hope that it will encourage other groups to do the same.

Those are my ideas, but there are many others. I did not address questions of University policy, nor did I address hook-up culture and the prevalence of alcohol in sexual assault (80% of sexual assaults involve alcohol), because I have chosen to use my time as Student Body President to work on creating social change on a student level. But I am excited to see others address these issues soon and I look forward to seeing where conversation takes us.

We must agree that we can stop sexual assault at TCU. Not On My Campus has started our journey, but it is by no means enough. The progress will not be easy, nor will it be quick. But we must start now. I believe in TCU. I believe in us. And I believe we can be the ones to lead the way and say: Not On My Campus.