"A Tough Problem"

The prevalence of rape on college campuses has been significant for centuries. Referred to as, "A Tough Problem" in an article from 1980, the author cites women's "resentment" towards "indignities" associated with increased protection as one of the reasons the incidence of rape has been difficult to tackle. Historically, women have been denied access to education, rights to wealth, and overall, impeded from building careers or lives outside of domestics. Even as women do gain access to educational opportunities and are granted rights equal to their male counterparts, sexual violence against women prevails. It has occurred persistently in the academic institutions in which they are supposed to feel safe and empowered in building and accumulating knowledge. Sexual attacks against young women pursuing their education is reflected in this collection of scraps of article headlines and article excerpts dating back as far as 1959. Though the articles reveal that justice is often sought, the language some administrators are quoted to have used is shameful, perpetuating a culture that continues to quietly (and loudly) blame victims instead of sincerely punishing perpetrators on a cultural and systemic level. Until women and victims of sexual violence are truly prioritized, believed in, and protected, and until a culture that normalizes sexual violence is put to an end, "rape will always be a problem on campuses".

References

Breatsed, M. (1976, February 5). Yale Shuts Gates to Curb Assaults. The New York Times, p.

40.

4 Whites Indicted In Rape Of Negro: Florida Panel Returns True Bill in Attack on Co-ed– Jury

Hears Victim. (1959, May 7). The New York Times, p. 22.

Saul, L. (1980, March 16). A Victim Recalls The Horror of It All. The New York Times, p. 28.

Saul, L. (1980, March 16). Rape on Campus: A Tough Problem for People to Solve. The New York Times, p. 280-281.

Student Is Raped In Columbia Dorm. (1975, September 18). The New York Times, p. 84.

Two Purchase Students Are Raped. (1976, October 22). The New York Times, p. 13.