I want to thank the staff at the Iowa State Daily for inviting me to share information regarding the university’s stance on sexual assault.

It is my sincere hope that we could come to a day when our conversations regarding sexual assault are obsolete. It is a despicable crime that unfortunately impacts many in our campus community — students, faculty and staff.

When a student participates in or is a victim of sexual assault, more than those two people are affected. We all share in a sense of loss, because this violent act demonstrates that we are not a community that universally accepts everyone’s rights. When a sexual assault occurs, we all share in the loss of safety in our community. And we all are victimized by the fear of predation — for ourselves as well as those we care about. 

It is my hope that we can end sexual assault. Until that time, I ask that we continue to participate in educational efforts toward that goal.

There are so many campus and community resources that students can utilize at their student organization meetings, house meetings or other venues. Students 2 Students (the sexual health peer education program coordinated through Thielen Student Health Center), ISU Police, Margaret Sloss Women’s Center, The Catalyst Theatre Company/Picture It Project, Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS, which is partially funded by GSB) and other agencies are available to help share information to prevent sexual assault.

Finally, if you or a friend is a survivor of sexual assault, please reach out to someone you trust. Filing a police report does not mean that you have to press charges. Telling the Dean of Students Office does not mean your parents are notified. Going to the women’s center does not mean that somehow everyone will know why you are there. In assisting victims of sexual assault, the wishes of the victim are paramount and privacy is essential.  

For those of you reading online, I’d like to suggest a couple Web sites for you:

• ISU Police Web site regarding sexual assault www.dps.iastate.edu/?page_id=251

• Student Affairs page regarding sexual assault www.dso.iastate.edu/wc/sexual_assault.html

• ACCESS www.assaultcarecenter.org

• The last link is to the Violence Free Campus Act www.policy.iastate.edu/policy/violence

One final resource I want to make sure you are aware of is the Sexual Assault/Relationship Violence/Stalking Support Services telephone number: 515-29-ALERT (292-5378). This number connects the caller with an advocate who can provide resources and support to those affected by gender violence.

I am grateful that you have taken the time to read this.

I hope that you take these words to heart and collaborate to end sexual assault. In the interim, I wish you a safe and productive semester.

Dione Somerville is Iowa State University’s dean of students.