-
"Date Rape" is Defined
Susan Brownmiller defines the term ‘date rape’ as, “an aggressor taking advantage to the point of unpleasantness”. This is included in her book, "Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape" that brought the politics of rape to the forefront when it was otherwise being ignored. -
Ms. Magazine Date Rape Report
The first survey to determine the breadth of the occurence of rape on college campus reveals the extent of the phenomena. It is found that one in four women experience something that can be legally classified as rape. The report was published in Ms. magazine and included the result of surveying more than 6,000 women across 30 campuses. -
"I Never Called It Rape" Published
The startling results from this survey became the basis for the book I Never Called It Rape, by Robin Warshaw. The book focuses on the occurrence of date rape, and rape that females encounter and is done by someone that the victim knows. Warshaw includes personal testimonies from victims as well as profiles of the men who commit these acts. -
Education Department Revises Guidelines
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights issued revised guidance that sexual harassment constituted a threat to students’ ability to pursue educational opportunities. The guidance includes steps that each involved party should take, as well as Title IX and responsibility of schools. -
Columbia University Students File Complaints
Columbia students file federal complaints that their sexual assault claims were mishandled and victims were mistreated. The twenty-three students filed three complaints: their right to speak about their case outside of campus discipline, the pressure of counselors who are supposed to help to not report the incident, and that accusers have little to no freedom even when compared to the accused. Columbia is also where the Carry That Weight movement occurred from September 2014-May 2015. -
Beckett Brennan Case
Beckett Brennan, a basketball player at the University of the Pacific, was raped by three players of the schools men’s basketball team after they drove her back to campus after a party. Beckett decided to only testify to the school board; the board found all three boys guilty but only one was expelled. Brennan and her parents sued the university for violating her civil rights.
Beckett Brennan's feature on 60 Minutes -
"Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence"
The Obama administration releases a Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence. This detailed letter can be considered a form of guidance when dealing with sexual harassment and violence. It includes Title IX requirements, the responsibilities of schools, and the proactive efforts that can be made in order to combat sexual violence. Examples of what can be done in these efforts are also included. -
"Questions and Answers on Title IX Sexual Violence" Released
As a response to the Dear Colleague Letter, Questions and Answers on Title IX Sexual Violence was released. This document contained questions that could be left unanswered from the DCL, with thorough answers including footnotes that include additional resources. Fourteen broad topics are broken down into these subtopic questions. -
"Not Alone" Report Released
The White House published its first report acknowledging the problem of sexual assault on college campuses and gives the first steps to be taken to combat this problem. The report, titled “Not Alone”, has a comprehensive view of the problem at hand, ways to try to prevent sexual assault, increase response efficiency and government efforts.
This music video not only contains statistics, but also depicts the realities for those who are victims of sexual assault -
Association of American Universities Disability Results
A report by the Association of American Universities is released, which detail the ignorance of sexual assault survivors with disabilities. The report stated that 31% of disabled female undergraduate students are survivors of sexual violence. This makes women with disabilities on college campuses twice as likely to face sexual assault then their able bodied peers. -
Association of American Universities Transgender Results
The same report also stated that 19% of transgender or gender non-conforming college students experienced campus sexual assault. The lack of protections for those who are transgender and gender non-conforming creates an increased level of vulnerability on campuses. -
"The Hunting Ground" Documentary Released
The "Hunting Ground", a documentary focusing on sexual assaults on college campuses, is released. This groundbreaking film detailed the cover ups of institutions, the ignorance and shaming of victims, and the brutality of the reality faced by survivors. The "Hunting Ground" is a piece that started conversations at a time that they were desperately needed.
The trailer for "The Hunting Ground" -
Vanderbilt Football Players Convicted of Rape
Two football players from Vanderbilt University were tried and convicted of aggravated rape of an unconscious woman. The victim had no memory of the assault, but pictures and videos of the incident were taken and presented to the court. The defendant who was unnamed stated that she hopes the guilty verdicts encourage other women to come forward.
A news report including the surveillance footage from the night of the assault -
Brock Turner is Given a Six Month Sentence
Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner is sentenced to only six months in jail after raping an unconscious woman. This sentence, which was already far too forgiving for the crime he had committed in order not to have a “severe impact” on Turner, was shortened to three months.
This videos shows protests against Brock Turner after his release from prison -
Betsy Devos Reverses Title IX Guidelines
Betsy DeVos reverses the guidelines put in place during the Obama era to protect those who are sexually assaulted. These guidelines lessened the amount of proof needed to convict or pass judgement. Many survivors felt that this was an attack to their rights, as this reversal made is harder once again to prove that the accused were guilty.
