By Raquel DeHerrera
Native students play a crucial role in actively combating sexual assault on Tribal Colleges and Universities. By being informed, proactive, and supportive, they can contribute to creating a safer and more respectful campus environment. Here are some ways native students can engage in the fight against sexual assault:
1. Education and Awareness:
Stay Informed: Educate yourself about sexual assault, consent, and the resources available on Tribal Colleges and Universities. Understanding the formal definition of sexual assault and recognizing coercion tactics can empower native students to identify and address potential risks 1.
Participate in Educational Programs: Engage in mandatory sexual assault education programs during orientation and other relevant workshops offered by the university. These programs provide valuable information and guidance on campus safety and sexual assault awareness.
2. Support and Advocacy:
Be an Active Bystander: Learn how to recognize and intervene in situations where sexual assault may be occurring. Encourage a culture of looking out for one another and speaking up about sexual violence.
Utilize Resources: Make use of on-campus resources such as security escorts, health centers, psychological services, and sexual assault services. Additionally, access off-campus support services if needed 2.
3. Community Engagement:
Participate in Student Activism: Get involved in student activism efforts to raise awareness about sexual assault on Tribal Colleges and Universities. This can include organizing events, discussions, and campaigns to promote a safer Tribal Colleges and Universities environment.
Engage in Dialogue: Actively engage in open and safe dialogues about sexual violence within the Tribal Colleges and Universities community. Encourage conversations that promote understanding, support, and social change 3.
4. Advocacy for Institutional Changes:
Advocate for Policy Changes: Support initiatives that aim to improve institutional and cultural changes to help make sexual assault less likely on campus. This can involve advocating for comprehensive prevention programs and policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of all native students 4.
Participate in Campus Surveys: Participate in campus climate surveys on sexual assault to provide valuable feedback and insights that can contribute to improving prevention and response efforts 5.
By actively engaging in education, support, advocacy, and community involvement, native students can play a vital role in combatting sexual assault on Tribal Colleges and Universities and contributing to a safer and more respectful campus environment.
Resources
1Buttaro,J.(2017,May8).Preventing sexual assault. Collage Stats. https://collegestats.org/resources/sexual-assault-prevention/
Staying safe on campus. RAINN.(n.d.).https://www.rainn.org/articles/staying- safe-campus
Plous,S.(2021,July4).How action teaching can reduce sexual assault on campus. Action Teaching. https://www.actionteaching.org/award/sexual-assault
Winerman,L.(2018,October).Making campuses safer. Monitor on Psychology. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2018/10/campuses-safer
Protecting students from sexual assault. Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). (2018, November 5). https://www.justice.gov/archives/ovw/protecting- students-sexual-assault
This project is supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-21-GK-02258-TRIB awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
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