I remember being impressed with Boston University’s safety precautions and policy when visiting as a prospective student. Now, as a graduating senior, I am sorry to say that I am not surprised at the comments made by BU associate general counsel Michael Rosen (“DOE exonerates BU on rape procedures,” April 28, pg. 1). Not surprised, but still outraged. I am outraged as an intern at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, as a woman and as a student. Mr. Rosen states that BU does not “have a policy that says if you’re drunk or high and something happens to you that we should feel real sorry for you.” Mr. Rosen may not have to feel sorry for the survivor, but Massachusetts state law does clearly define “consent” in terms of age and being of sound mind. The law says that you cannot be of sound mind if intoxicated, meaning “drunk or high.” I support BU’s “zero tolerance” drug and alcohol policy, but what about “zero tolerance” on rape?
Mr. Rosen’s statement also implies that survivors do not, or cannot, express wanting to stop. Consent is not the absence of “no.” To not consent, the individual is not legally required to bite, claw and scream for help. If there is an absence of “yes,” there is no consent. We do not blame someone who was robbed because they did not say, “I won’t give you my wallet,” because they were seen leaving an ATM, or because they had given money as a gift in the past. None of these things diminishes the fact that stealing is a crime. Why should not fighting hard enough, wearing certain clothes or previously engaging in sexual acts justify rape?
In my four years I can recall three major rape cases involving BU students, but then I think of all the incidents that go unreported. One out of three women will be raped in her lifetime; most assaults happen during adolescence and college. By blaming these women, BU has created a hostile environment for all other survivors. How can these women feel safe enough to come forward and seek justice, protection or support with the precedent that this institution has set?
We cannot continue to sweep sexual assault under the rug. It is not an issue that will go away if ignored or devalued. I have enjoyed my time here and I am very happy that I chose to come here, but that does not mean I have to be happy with all of the university’s policies or actions. My education and experience here has taught me that we can be dissatisfied and rally for change. I can only hope that the changes BU says it will make to its policies will be more than adding two contacts and timeframes in the Lifebook. I hope university officials and students will take the time to learn more about sexual assault: the experience of the survivor, why rape happens and how to support those individuals who are survivors or know survivors. The OCR may have dismissed the charges against BU, but that does not mean that we students, administrators, faculty and staff have to accept the status quo. We need to change attitudes, not just add a few numbers and grievance procedures.