The posting of a flyer at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on the "Top Ten Ways to Get Away With Rape" underscores the continued need for addressing the cultural acceptance of rape and the environment created when individuals choose to make sexual assault a laughing matter.
Katie Hanna, statewide director of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence said, "Viewpoints like this make it difficult for survivors to come forward, especially when one in five women are victims of sexual assault while in college."
Ashley Hawke, 2006 alum of Miami University and the director of 24-hour advocacy programs at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center said, "As an advocate for survivors of sexual violence and as a Miami University alum, I am disappointed to read about this story in the news. I hope the university takes this seriously and uses it as an opportunity to educate students on sexual assault and the rape culture that clearly exists at Miami. Survivors of sexual assault already face so many obstacles in coming forward to report or seek help and incidents like this only make it more difficult to reach the survivors that need assistance."
This incident highlights the critical importance of community awareness and continued services for survivors at Miami University and in the surrounding community.
Below are some suggested ways that you can end sexual violence, rather than perpetuate it.
Top Ten Ways to End Sexual Violence
1. Hold perpetrators accountable.
2. Start by believing.
3. Support survivors.
4. Get the facts.
5. Challenge rape myths.
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6. Support policies that address rape, like the Violence Against Women Act.
7. Talk about sexual violence and also about healthy sexuality.
8. Volunteer with your local rape crisis center.
9. Reach out to other male allies and engage men in ending rape.
10. Speak out.
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