In the wake of several sexual assaults on campus this year, University representatives and leaders of eating clubs are taking steps to address what one official described as a campus culture that "isn't working against the problem" of sexual violence.
Since October, there have been four reported criminal incidents of a sexual nature on campus, including a groping in a women's bathroom in Frist Campus Center and aggravated sexual contact at an eating club. The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office is still investigating reports of inappropriate sexual conduct at Tiger Inn on Feb. 10.
From 2002 to 2004, there were a total of 21 forcible sex offenses reported on campus.
Though resources are available for student victims, some believe the University community needs to take action to prevent such assaults from happening in the first place.
Anita McLean, the University's senior clinical psychologist, said that a shift in campus attitudes is necessary to avoid future incidents.
"I am disturbed by the way in which the culture here isn't working against the problem, including a lack of awareness and prevention," McLean said. "Our lives are all connected, so this will affect our future beyond Princeton."
McLean said the frequency of sexual assault would diminish if more male students joined in condemning the problem.
"The vast majority of men are nice guys, and want to be seen as nice guys rather than a threat," McLean said. "But we need men talking to men to take ownership of the problem."
Interclub Council president Marco Fossati-Bellani '07 said the eating clubs are committed to addressing the issue.
"Sexual assaults are concerning to see, and we're doing our best to stop them at the eating clubs," he said. "It's a problem for everyone, since if something happens, we all lose."
McLean, though, said that raising concerns about sexual assault is only part of the solution. To properly address the problems, students will have to do more to curb irresponsible alcohol consumption.
During activities like Bicker and club initiations, the potential for misconduct is especially great, McLean said.
"Inappropriate alcohol use is certainly not only restricted to eating clubs, but especially during Bicker and pickups we expect high alcohol use," she said. "Some of the activities during these initiations might make people feel vulnerable. The potential combination of alcohol and nudity means something will probably happen."
One way to better this situation, Fossati-Bellani said, is to increase supervision during social activities. "Clubs are looking into many things, for example, locking upstairs rooms to reduce the amount of nonpublic space during activities so more spaces are monitored," he said.
Sexual Health Advisors (SHAs) have also worked with eating clubs to raise awareness. They conducted three discussion sessions on this topic during the week of Bicker. Two of these workshops were at Cloister and Tiger Inn.
SHA president Michelle Fox '07 said that these sessions were well-received.
"We had handouts and posters, and the members were receptive to us," Fox said in an email. "The goals of the event were to promote awareness that sexual assault does occur on campus and to let students know that there are ways of preventing it," including limiting drinking, designating a sober friend and having a plan for the night.
Victim resources
The main organization dealing with the effects of sexual incidents on campus is the Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education (SHARE) center based out of University Health Services (UHS).
"SHARE counselors are privacy-protected, meaning that their relationship with the people they help is protected by law so that they do not have to report anything about the cases they deal with if the person involved doesn't want them to," McLean said.
SHARE has a relationship with certified nurses at the University Medical Center and other local hospitals. In the instance of a sexual assault, students may be transported to one of these facilities for a "rape kit" to be performed, which may yield evidence important for a criminal case. SHARE and UHS also have access to the morning-after pill, provided at no cost, and will deal with basic health needs following a sexual assault, McLean said.
After attending to immediate needs, SHARE guides the victim through options ranging from counseling to working with University disciplinary officials to filing criminal charges to coordinating legal representation.
"SHARE stays with you throughout the entire process," McLean said.
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