It’s On Us campaign positive force, student participation
The It’s On Us campaign has finally made its way to the University of Idaho.
It’s On Us aims to bring awareness to sexual assault on and off college campuses. Awareness campaigns like this are a critical part in stopping sexual assault and changing public perception of an issue held in the dark for far too long.
Jessy Forsmo-Shadid
UI is just one of the 200 universities around America to take on the campaign, according to whitehouse.gov. That number alone should indicate the severity of the problem and the tremendous support behind the campaign.
Along with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, celebrities such as Jon Hamm, Common and Kerry Washington have also given their support to the campaign. From the looks of itsonus.org, the campaign also has its fair share of support from nonprofits, athletic conferences, TV stations and major corporations.
It’s good to see ASUI take the lead on a campaign that has the power to shift perceptions on an issue that impacts college campuses around the country, including UI. While the campaign does not coordinate formal educational programs, it does offer helpful tips on preventing sexual assault. The campaign gives tips to students on how to identify situations when a sexual assault could occur, how to intervene if necessary and how to create a place where survivors are supported.
The campaign may address a difficult subject, but it will make a great impact on campus if students pay attention. One of the goals of the campaign is to have students make a series of videos supporting the fight against sexual assault.
Hopefully the campaign can expand further to include classes devoted to stoping sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and harassment.
People need to know there is a lot an individual can do to help survivors of sexual violence. For example, one could receive Green Dot training, where participants learn how to intervene and prevent acts of violence. There is also Alternative To Violence on the Palouse (ATVP) where one could help survivors of sexual assault through their worst times.
There are many things Moscow has to offer when it comes to helping survivors of sexual assault. The It’s On Us campaign lets students know they can get involved on a national level. This is a step toward stopping not only just sexual assault, but hopefully other types of violence as well. It is critical UI students, staff and faculty members learn as much as possible and take the It’s On Us pledge.
The community must realize incidents of sexual assault happen more often than most people think, and it’s on us to make the change.
Jessy Forsmo-Shadid can be reached at [email protected]