Bringham Young University in Utah has announced that it would no longer
look into honor code violations when students report sexual assault. The school
is Mormon-run and has “Church Educational System Honor Code” that prohibits
drinking, drug use, and premarital sex and requires modest dress. After a sexual assault was reported the
university would look into possible honor code violations made by the student before or near the time of the assault. So for example if drinking was involved the reporting student would face punishment. The mission behind the new ruling is to encourage victims
to report assault without fear of honor code punishment. In 2008 a study in
Utah found that only around 12% of sexual assault victims came forward.
It’s crazy to me that a school would look use an assault to
launch an investigation against the victim but I’m glad that the old system is
no longer in place and hope there is justice for the victims of sexual assault
in the future.
Yeah I feel like too often people are in situations where they need to go to a hospital but don't because they are scared they will get in trouble for whatever they're doing. 12 percent is too low of a number for something like sexual assault to go unrecognized because you are afraid you will be punished. I'm glad they have decided to get rid of that policy.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that they got rid of the honor code "violations." Those honor code "violations" were victim blaming. That is not okay. I think it is sad that it took this long to get rid of this policy. People should feel safe when they are reporting a sexual assault, not worried about if they are getting in trouble. I am very glad that they got rid of this policy that kept individuals from reporting.
ReplyDelete