Rape is bad

Rape is bad. Apparently, we don’t say that enough.

Tuesday, Oregon State held a town hall meeting discussing personal safety tips, prevention, recovery services at OSU and opportunities for students to get involved with campus safety efforts.

The meeting mostly consisted of a question and answer period during which audience members had an opportunity to discuss what’s been happening on campus regarding sexual violence and awareness.

An audience member addressed the prevention-heavy coverage of sexual assaults. Apparently, her concern was that we aren’t stating the obvious, and instead are focusing on ways women can protect themselves.

It’s true, as the Barometer is part of the media presence pushing prevention tactics, we have focused on ways people — not just women — can protect themselves. We assume our readers know rape is bad. But, you know what happens when you assume.

We’re not trying to facilitate sexual violence, we just thought “rape is bad,” went without saying. It’s our job to report the events happening around campus, and we take on the responsibility to find ways our community can gain confidence in dangerous situations.

If we reported that there was an assault on campus and simply said, “The attacker has not been apprehended. It’s important to know rape is bad.” No one would feel safer, and the article would have only perpetuated fear.

Rape is bad, but saying that won’t stop those pushing women down on campus streets.

What stops those attackers is an increased awareness in the student body and Corvallis community.

What stops those attackers is the victim’s courage to fight, kick, scream, run away and call the authorities.

What stops those attackers is the Oregon State and Corvallis police efforts.

What stops those attackers is educational classes that teach the student body about not perpetuating rape culture.

What stops those attackers is the efforts of programs like Sexual Assault Support Services, Men’s Development and Engagement and the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence.

Saying rape is bad, is like saying the ocean is blue. It’s a fact. It doesn’t help future victims protect themselves; it doesn’t help current victims find strength; it doesn’t help community members find a sense of security. Above all, it does not stop sexual violence.

What we can do is learn. We can take preventative measures so the likelihood of sexual assault decreases. So we at the Barometer will continue to promote SafeRide, checking in with friends and family members as you walk home, traveling in groups, equipping yourself with rape whistles, mace and self-defense tactics.

In a world with dangerous people who are not ethically or morally burdened by attacking others, preventative measures is the best thing we can do to take control.


Editorials serve as means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board’s majority.