To: President Donald Trump
President Obama: Expand efforts to address sexual assault on campus to include sexual harassment
We commend you on your recent efforts to address sexual assault on college campuses, and we encourage you to expand those efforts to address sexual harassment.
The need for this effort is clear: over 51% of college men admit to sexually harassing fellow students (AAUW), and in a recent study by Hollaback!, an organization dedicated to ending sexual harassment in public space, 20 percent of students said that harassment caused an inability to concentrate in class, and 23 percent said that harassment prevented attendance in class.
This isn't just about quality of life -- it's about access to education.
Thank you for your consideration.
The need for this effort is clear: over 51% of college men admit to sexually harassing fellow students (AAUW), and in a recent study by Hollaback!, an organization dedicated to ending sexual harassment in public space, 20 percent of students said that harassment caused an inability to concentrate in class, and 23 percent said that harassment prevented attendance in class.
This isn't just about quality of life -- it's about access to education.
Thank you for your consideration.
Why is this important?
Campus harassment is a gateway crime, and creates a culture where words can escalate to physical contact and other forms of violence, including stalking, assault or rape. According to research by Cornell's ILR Institute, harassment in public space has similar emotional impacts as sexual assault or rape including a sense of self-doubt, low self-esteem/self worth, and possible feelings of despair. This can also reduce students' feelings of safety on campus, impacting their mobility including their use of campus transportation. We believe that everyone should be able to access education safely, without fear of harassment or assault.