Sexual assault prevention needs to be on us

The White House recently announced a new initiative called “It’s On Us” that aims to combat sexual assault, especially on college campuses, by encouraging men to stand up and speak out. In our editorial last week, we discussed the negative implications of the inventive anti-rape devices that are just starting to carve out a niche for themselves. We criticized this type of technology because we believed that, as simply a reactionary precaution, it compromises the sense of urgency we should all have about addressing the underlying issues. The “It’s On Us” campaign is exactly the education we think is necessary to do just that — to address the issue at its source.

The movement aims to motivate men and women to intervene when they find themselves in a position to stop sexual assault and harassment. We commend the “It’s On Us” campaign and the Obama Administration for their efforts to prevent sexual assault by encouraging bystander intervention and encouraging every person to recognize inappropriate situations and to take immediate action. Rather than putting the onus on the potential victims to be on the lookout and to protect themselves, this campaign promotes the idea that all of us have the ability and the responsibility to prevent attacks and to confront rape culture at its roots.

“It’s On Us” has spread through the country like wildfire, reaching hundreds of college campuses in a matter of days. The Editorial Board cannot overstate how pleased it is that students across the country have so enthusiastically embraced this campaign’s mission. Unfortunately, top-down initiatives can often fizzle out relatively quickly, but we hope that this one is here to stay — and we think it will. With the conversation started, we could not be happier with where it’s headed, and we hope it will continue.

The Editorial Board recognizes that the levels of public awareness of this issue are at their peak right now, and the more conversations that take place the better. This is why we urge every Hopkins undergraduate to take the pledge at itsonus.org to show our support. Take the pledge to stand up against sexual assault, and speak for all of the silenced voices of sexual assault survivors not only on the Homewood campus, but all over the world.

We have the power to stop sexual assaults and harassment. It’s on us — all of us.