An ISU student was charged last week with sexual abuse in the third degree connection to a sexual assault that occurred in a campus dorm earlier this year. The arrest follows the suspension of a fraternity after a sexual assault occurred inside its house and students received two timely warning alert emails already this year about sexual assaults.

Also last month, the university as a whole was found to be under investigation for its handling of sexual assault cases by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. Iowa State is one of more than 90 universities under investigation. According to a letter sent to President Steven Leath by the office, the investigation is into whether the university did or did not “promptly and equitably respond to complaints, reports and/or incidents of sexual violence of which it had notice.”

After the start of this semester, it is clear that sexual assault is a serious problem on the ISU campus and college campuses around the country. While the answer to this epidemic may not be immediately clear, it is important that students and university communities take steps to combat sexual assaults on campuses.

The best chance at a change in culture on our country’s college campuses will come from student-led proactive solutions. Luckily at Iowa State, we have seen a string of movements driven by students to end sexual assaults on campus.

The most recent instance of this student proactivity on our campus was early last week when the Theta Chi fraternity held a silent reflection to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Members of the community brought candles to reflect and wrote encouraging messages to survivors on a banner that will be displayed on campus. 

Another example of this proactiveness by ISU students came with the launch of the It’s On Us campaign earlier this school year. It is a movement that encourages students to have open conversations about the issue of sexual assault and promotes taking responsibility as bystanders when students feel someone is at risk of being sexually assaulted.

Student-led actions and campaigns like these to end the culture that allows for sexual assault on college campuses should be ceaselessly commended. The ISU campus and others around the country will only be safer places if more students take action and lead a national discussion on sexual assault issues.

While all universities should enforce strict repercussions for those who violate these basic expectations of decency, the most powerful force for change will come from those who have no punitive powers. When a potential perpetrator of a sexual assault does not act out of fear of punishment, you have only taught that person fear.

But when a potential perpetrator does not act due to a fundamental knowledge of right and wrong, you have truly adjusted a person’s morality. Only when the stigma against these crimes inundates itself into every possible corner and crevice of the social sphere will the culture truly change.

These student-focused, student-driven events to raise awareness on the issue of sexual assault on campus is just what Iowa State needs to move forward. The organic nature of these movements are the key to long-lasting change for this community-wide issue.