Speak Up and Never Remain Silent

In college, a person should be able to feel safe in their learning environment, especially females. In today’s world, females already have a difficult time because we are continuously judged. It is even worse when women in college are trying to better themselves by gaining a higher education, but are still at risk of being sexually assaulted. In a college, or a professional setting, women should not have to fear being sexually assaulted by someone in a higher position.
In this #METOO era, women and men are coming forward by the droves. Some of these assaults happened years ago, but predatory behaviors were accepted for so long, it became a norm and was overlooked. Every day someone gets sexually assaulted. Many don’t say anything because they fear being criticized. Will they get help or even be taken seriously if they come forward? Keeping quiet leads to a life with severe mental dilemma, which isn’t a way to live.
By now, most people heard about the protest on February 13. Chancellor-Dean of the Ag Center, Bobby Phills, resigned from his position for “a personnel matter.” But really, it was because of allegations of sexual misconduct with female students. Four women came forward and admitted to experiencing sexual misconduct from Phills, but it still wasn’t enough for the school to take the reports seriously.
Southern was going to “possibly” rehire him. That just makes you wonder why a school with such a tremendous impression in the African American community would ignore the concerns of African American female students when they are placed in these uncomfortable situations. It’s like the university is saying they don’t care about the well-being of their female students.
Southern needs to make changes in how they handle sexual misconduct. It’s wrong, and immoral to ignore the victims and rehire him. You should be protecting the victim because at the end of the day, they have to live with the memory of what happened. There also needs to be new ways to protect women from being sexually assaulted on campus. In addition, annual seminars should be held for students and faculty to learn what to do if they’re in an uncomfortable position, or sexually assaulted.
If you ever become a victim of assault, immediately contact the HR department and the campus police or Baton Rouge Police Department. Also, receive counseling. It’s unhealthy to keep all that bottled up. There’s a student health center and counseling center right here on campus. There’s also the Baton Rouge Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response (STAR) Center, which offers 24 hour assistance. They all have resources that will help you through this, you don’t have to go through this alone. Always speak up. They will never silence us!!