Discussion on sexual assault follows “Hunting Ground” showing
Kira Hunter | Argonaut
A student poses a question to the panel composed of (from left to right) Emily McLarnen, Alex Roberts, Erin Agidius, and Dr. Blaine Eckles folowwing the screening of Hunting Ground at Kenworty Theater on Friday night.
The image of an empty chair greeted those who attended a screening of “The Hunting Ground” Friday evening at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre.
Virginia Solan, University of Idaho coordinator of violence prevention programs, said the chair symbolized Katy Benoit, a UI graduate student shot and killed by a professor in 2011 after she ended their romantic relationship.
“Not only is Katy Benoit missing from our community tonight, but there are so many others. Those who have been in the local headlines, and others who have not,” Solan said.
“The Hunting Ground” is a documentary exploring the issue of sexual assaults on college campuses and institutional responses to those assaults. The showing wrapped up a week of trainings and events aimed at making UI a safer campus community.
The film tells the story of sexual assault survivors, advocates for college reform and college administrators.
“I feel like every college student should watch that film,” UI Campus Dietitian Marissa Rudley said. “It was heartbreaking and also a call to action.”
Following the film, a discussion panel was held to address how UI responds to sexual assault.
Panel members included UI Dean of Students Blaine Eckles; Emilie McLarnan, associate director ATVP; Alex Roberts, coordinator for Student Conduct and Erin Agidius, interim director of the Office of Human Rights, Access and Inclusion.
“I think (the panel) wanted to keep it basic and they wanted to keep it broad,” said Kim Jones, a Journalism major at UI. “I”m surprised that they didn”t have more of the statistics for the university here.”
She said the panel marked a good beginning of a conversation about sexual assault, but the panel needed improvement.
“I think it”s good that the school is starting this conversation and I hope that they allow it to be an open, transparent conversation,” Jones said. “I haven”t seen that here tonight.”
Moscow Police Lt. David Lehmitz was in attendance during panel discussion to field questions from the audience concerning sexual assault.
“I thought the panel showed a lot of transparency and answered a lot of questions that students and community members had about how University of Idaho handles complaints,” Rudley said. “I care about student welfare. It”s great to hear that a lot of input and thought goes into these kind of complaints.”
“The Hunting Ground” screening and panel marked the end of Campus Safety Week, which is held to memorialize Benoit.
Aleya Ericson can be reached at [email protected]