TW: This article contains topics that may upset some readers, and care should be taken when reading this article. It includes mentions of sexual assault and violence. No specifics are given about cases, but this article may still be difficult for some people to read.
“Boys will be boys” is one of the most toxic mindsets an adult can give to a child. This idea allows the blame to shift off of the offender, and nothing gets done about the situation. When I was young, I remember getting picked on by guys in my classes and being told it meant they liked me. Teachers refused to hold the boys accountable and wrote their behavior off as drama or play. It’s easy to dismiss this as something that only happens to kids, but it’s clear that it isn’t. Right now, protests are happening at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) about the horrible things the UNL chapter of the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) has done. Protests ring out in the night on campus. It paints an all-too-familiar picture of colleges not holding anyone accountable for their actions.
When I was a first-year student at Clemson, I remember the first time I saw the effects of a date rape drug on a girl my age. At the time, we were both 17. Thankfully, she was safe, but sadly it wasn’t my last time being exposed to situations like this at Clemson. I’ve heard far too many stories about women getting assaulted and nothing happening after they report the incident. Clemson needs to step up, and they need to take people seriously when they speak up. Clemson needs to take action and listen to organizations like It’s on Us. But beyond that, we can’t just be reactive. We need to take the safety of students, staff and visitors seriously. Clemson may not have power over the things that take place off-campus, but they can certainly change what happens here. It is a crime against all of us when one of our Tigers is hurt.
According to It’s on Us, it is estimated that 20-25% of undergraduate women are victims of sexual violence, but 90% do not come forward to report it to authorities. And of that, 30.4% of victims drop out. We must create resources and private and effective ways for people to receive help. I personally know many people who have been turned away from receiving help because their situations were not thought to have been severe enough, or they were told that “there was nothing they could do.”
Though sexual assault happens to every gender, it is most frequently committed against female-presenting victims (Clemson University). Though I know Clemson thinks that the available resources are doing their job, it’s apparent that they are doing nothing to prevent these things from happening. When I was a first-year student, I ran into many situations where men would drunkenly try to pull me into buildings or attempt to pressure me into going home with them. When I tried to tell people about what happened, all I got was that I was making a bigger deal out of a small situation. If someone is brave enough to open up about a problem, we need to be brave enough to listen. I’m not asking you to immediately believe everything people say, nor am I asking you to call the cops for them. It is the public’s job to care and listen, and it’s the job of the institution to protect us. Although we all need to hold people responsible, Clemson needs to do more to prevent and protect students. Tiger Transit is a good way to get around campus if it’s dark, but if you’re not waiting outside for the bus, then it just leaves. Establishing a system where students know when their bus will arrive that isn’t up to user error will help. Installing more cameras on campus, adding more lights, educating students on sexual assault beyond first-year orientation, and looking for preventative solutions will help.
According to ope.ed.gov/campussafety, 12 cases of rape were documented in 2019 by Clemson University. The actual number is estimated to be exponentially higher than this. Only 1 in 10 cases are reported, and of that, few are actually investigated. Assault is an incredibly personal crime, and it needs to be dealt with in a swift and understanding way. In the Clemson Sexual assault resources, it is said that “In one study, the average number of victims for each rapist was seven, and in another study, it was 11”. This logic would allow us to understand that if we were to simply believe someone the first time, we could prevent further incidents from taking place.
What I want you to take away from this article is that:

1. You’re not alone, and please talk to someone if you’re in danger or are struggling.
2. Hold those around you accountable.
3. Enact change in your local communities to protect others and yourselves.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence, please reach out to a professional in your community. This article is meant in no way to undermine the effectiveness of real help and support. If someone doesn’t believe you, remember that your story is still valid. Never let your self-worth be determined by the actions of another. I promise you’re not alone and that things do get easier. You must allow yourself to grieve and be angry but not be mad at yourself. If you are comfortable doing so, please tell someone what happened. As I briefly mentioned in my article, reporting an incident can help prevent more from happening.
If you or someone you know is struggling, here are a few options.
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Clemson University Police department: 864-656-2222
Clemson’s SA resources: Microsoft Word – Resource for Survivors of Sexual Assault FINAL 8-11-15.docx (clemson.edu)