Trigger warning: sexual assault, sexual harassment
A viral video on TikTok encouraging sexual assault and harrassment on April 24 to mark “National Rape Day” was addressed in a Community Connection email to students last week. University administrators said they wanted students to be aware of the problem and know how to access support should they need it. Students have voiced their disgust at the video, which TikTok has since removed.
As the responses to the videos began making rounds, Mark Bourassa, Bluffton University’s Title IX Coordinator, senior associate director for student life and director of University Event Complex and conferences, saw the issue and had discussions regarding it.
Bourassa heard about the mockery being made of sexual assault through the group ATIXA, Association of Title IX Administrators. In this group, other Title IX administrators at different organizations were communicating with one another about how to respond to this situation with students in mind. This group is where Bourassa got the motivation and made the decision to send out a response through the Student Community Connection email.
“Part of bringing that up in the Community Connection was really just trying to be proactive in reaching out to folks and saying that this is the kind of behavior that isn’t accepted on a campus like Bluffton,” said Bourassa. “That we feel very strongly about creating environments that are safe for members of all genders and a place where our students should be free from any sort of sexual harassment, assault or sexual violence.”
In bringing this up, the university is able to let students know they are aware of these harmful videos. Bluffton let students know things are okay and they are safe on this campus. If a student was to not feel safe or have feelings regarding the situation, sources for them to talk to or get information on were listed in the Community Connection as well.
“When these kinds of things come up, they can be triggers for folks,” said Bourassa. “So recognizing when you have a horrific comment made, that for folks that may have experienced some level of sexual harassment or sexual assault, that can be very triggering to them in terms of reinducing trauma. Part of it was also to be thinking if something like that is your case, you’re experiencing that level of trauma, we want to make sure you know what resources are available to you to be able to respond.”
Sophomore Ashley Eachus is a sexual assault survivor who is very vocal about sexual assault and harassment as a whole. Eachus is a
residential student who was on Bluffton’s campus on April 24, and had felt safe being here and within her community.
Eachus speaks out about her experience because she wishes to help others feel more comfortable with getting help or counseling regarding their situation.
“If they don’t know how to go out to people and talk about it, knowing that there is someone who has gone through it may help others to feel at ease,” said Eachus.
If students wish to take part in counseling, they can make an appointment at counseling@bluffton.edu. Another service students could reach out to is Crime Victim Services at DayOne@CrimeVictimServices.org.
