SEXUAL ASSAULT:  Any non-consensual sexual contact of which both men and women may be victims. This includes all forms of rape, attempted rape, and

any other non-consensual sexual physical contact.

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In our efforts to stop sexual assaults at Cal Poly, we have developed a working framework to educate the campus community on stopping sexual assault. This effort flows out of the recently completed Presidential Task Force Report on Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault, which provides 47 recommendations of action.

We are in the process of discussing each recommendation, reviewing our current efforts and mapping out next steps.  One key focus is educating the campus community on how to respond appropriately to a friend, a student, and/or community member who has been sexually assaulted.  Another is providing response training to all campus members.

Safer will be the office that will work with the campus in coordinating clearer expectations in the handling of sexual assault complaints, or alleged victims, to inform them of their right to pursue disciplinary actions. Safer will also work with the campus in addressing perceived roadblocks for students in reporting a rape or other sexual assault, and will work with the campus on raising the visibility of available resources, education and training.

I encourage you to review the report as well as Recommendation Action Reports in response to the report at:

http://studentaffairs.calpoly.edu/content/sexual-assault-recommendations

Please share your feedback with me, which will be integrated into the discussion. If you would like a more active and on-going role, please let me know that, too.

Please join me in working toward an even safer, healthier campus.

Sincerely,

Preston C. Allen
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs

Recently, during the late evening or early morning hours, University Police and San Luis Obispo Police Departments have investigated three separate cases where a male suspect has approached females from behind and has attempted to remove their underpants. In one case, the suspect actually removed the victim’s underpants.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION:

GENDER: MALE
AGE: 18-22
DESCENT: ASIAN OR HISPANIC
HEIGHT: 5′-6″ TO 5′-9″
BUILD: MEDIUM BUILD/ATHLETIC BUILD
HAIR: SHORT HAIR, SPIKED ON TOP
CLOTHING: BLACK “PUFFY” JACKET, DARK COLORED LONG SLEEVE SHIRT AND POSSIBLY TAN PANTS OR BLUE JEANS

THE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING AT NIGHT: BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND TRAVEL WITH COMPANIONS AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.

IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THESE INCIDENTS PLEASE CONTACT UNIVERSITY POLICE OR SAN LUIS OBISPO DEPARTMENTS.

TEXT ANY ANONYMOUS TIPS OR INFORMATION TO calpoly@tipnow.org

EMERGENCIES DIAL 911

Is this street harassment? I definitely believe so. While the victims were in enclosed spaces, they were putting the same trust in taxis that they do when walking down the street. In the minds of Americans, taxis are part of the public domain, and it is entirely normal for people to feel safe in such a standard, every day environment. The situation is relevant to San Luis Obispo because men and women everywhere are susceptible to harassment in public spaces that we do not  typically consider dangerous. We should not have to anticipate or even consider the likelihood of harassment in our daily lives, but unfortunately, the D.C. taxicab occurrences prove that a lot of work needs to be put forth to guarantee the safety of every individual in every public space. The D.C. government is correct in their quick response to the attacks, and hopefully the taxi commute will be safe for citizens from now on.

The Occupy SLO group will hold a women’s rights and empowerment teach-in seminar today at 4:30 p.m. at the county courthouse, across from the government center on Monterey Street.

The session will include discussions about street harassment and what to do about it; the history of women’s rights and the women’s rights movement; information on rape crisis, shelters and other resources; and, possibly, a short selfdefense course.

The anti-war group Food Not Bombs will provide food beginning at 6 p.m.

Opinion writer Jenny McCartney seems to oppose the loose definition of harassment in the clause; she notes the many conflicting interpretations that have already emerged since the convention to support her argument. In one instance, the Scotland attorney general said that the law would not criminalize wolf-whistling and teasing. Yet Julia Gray of Hollaback was reported saying, “If you want to tackle it, you tackle all of it—you say no to all forms of unwanted sexual harassment, that includes wolf-whistling, comments, everything.” McCartney’s concerns raise the issue of subjectivity towards harassment amongst different types of people and cultures. In her perspective, something that can be interpreted in multiple ways has to be as objectively defined as possible in order for the law to be fair to everyone.

On the other hand, the council’s definition includes every kind of harassment (verbal, non-verbal, and physical) that should not be left unpunished. It may not be strictly worded and obvious, but it still allows victims to right the injustices they have endured.  The harassment clause is an important step towards ending street harassment, but perhaps we need to determine its success based on how the courts will be able to use the clause to judge future  sexual harassment cases and consequences.

Bay Area women have reacted to the DC uproar in the past week and are expressing how they, too, are facing frequent sexual advances while enduring their commutes. The article reports that the harassment is largely unreported, with police documenting “95 sex crimes on those three [buses, trains, and trolleys] public transit systems, including 35 cases of indecent exposure, often masturbation; 25 cases of sexual battery, which includes groping; one rape and other unwanted lewd behavior. Forty arrests were made.” This seems like a dramatically small amount, considering 370 million people rode these systems last year.

Making this problem apparent to not just DC, but all of America, is a huge step towards ridding this country of sexual harassment. While this issue is being reported in major newspapers and websites, it is time to take lawful action against the perpetrators. As the article notes, countries like Japan, Mexico, and India have had to make female-only cars as a reaction against the increasingly present problem. America needs to stop the problem before we resort to segregating genders as the only solution.

The DC chapter of Hollaback, also known locally as CASS (Collective Action for Safe Spaces), has decided to take the matter to local government. With claims that transit police are not tracking reports of harassment and giving little consideration to gender-based harassment, activists are seeking out transit employee training, governmental action, and awareness. Hollaback has also pointed out that while New York, Boston, and Chicago have all instituted PSA campaigns against this issue, DC is still lacking anything to address a serious and frequent problem.

When reading Hollaback reports in cities where public transportation is an essential part of daily life, it is evident that there have been countless situations where a person feels violated, vulnerable, and unsafe. The DC chapter is commendable for taking action and going to their government. The Gender Equity Center for Cal Poly is also planning to talk to our city council on how to make this town safer for all people. If you feel that you have something to say about town safety, harassment, or you just want to show support, it is highly suggested that you attend this meeting. More information will be released in the coming weeks.

To inquire further about DC, check out the live feed of the DC meeting and this great Washington Post article.

Founded by Holly Kearl (aka the women behind the blog Stop Street Harassment), she created this movement after feeling enraged by the stories of harassment posted onto her website. On the website The Wip, Kearl writes, “street harassment is portrayed as complimentary, a minor annoyance, or the woman’s fault…Street harassment makes many women feel like they must be on guard in public as they constantly assess their surroundings, scowl, avoid eye contact, and have cell phones ready in case they need to call for help.” She makes a great point. Street harassment is scary, but it also makes women perceive her every day environment differently than a man would. How can women feel safe when they are the main targets of harassment? Kearl’s research points out “on at least a monthly basis, 45 percent of women avoid being in public alone at night and 40 percent avoid being in public alone period. One in five women moved neighborhoods to avoid harassment and one in ten changed jobs because of harassers along their commute or outside their worksite.” If these statistics tell us anything, it is that we have a serious problem that needs to be dealt with.

Last year, over 2,000 people from thirteen different countries supported efforts to eliminate and protest the prevalence of street harassment. Now that March is about to roll around again, it is time for the people of San Luis Obispo to join the effort. The movement’s website gives six ways you can be an activist during this week. You can talk to your friends/family/coworkers/peers about street harassment, raise awareness online, use art to make a statement, and engage, evaluate, and educate your community. Check their website for more information on how to be an activist.

If finals take over your life that week, then try to be an activist against street harassment in your every day life. Using your tech knowledge, artistic talents, research abilities, etc. can truly make our streets safer for everyone.