By Sarah Ninivaggi
TU journalism student | Oct. 7, 2009
Towson offers students several ways to protect themselves from sexual assault and rape, as well as options for those who may become victims of the all-too-common crime.
Director Roman Polanski is the center of controversy this week as his 30-year-old rape case resurfaces due to his recent arrest in Switzerland, reports the Associated Press. Polanski was charged in 1977 on a count of unlawful sexual intercourse against 13-year-old Samantha Geimer. In the past few days, celebrities have flocked to his defense, claiming he did not actually rape the teen, and that too much time has passed for a fair trial.
Sexual assault is also common on college campuses, as college women are four times more likely to be assaulted, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.
Towson has specific guidelines of what constitutes rape or assault to better protect students. The university has stricter requirements than the state for what constitutes a crime. In court an attacker would most likely have to demonstrate force, but Towson’s standards require much less.
“The definition of effective consent is consent that is informed freely, actively given and that uses mutual understandable words or actions, which indicates the willingness to participate in mutually agreed upon sexual activity,” said Cathy Sullivan, staff psychologist and coordinator of sexual assault services. “It is not consent if it uses
The Glen Esk counseling center is one place that students can go to receive support in situations of rape or sexual assault. (Photo by Sarah Ninivaggi, Sept. 6, 2009.)
threats, force, violence, or coercion.”
If a Towson student is accused of rape or assault by another student, a hearing can take place on campus in addition to legal action.
“If the situation was more likely to have happened than not, the student can receive sanctions. They can be kicked out of housing, and not even be allowed to visit. They could potentially be expelled,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan does not believe that there is a statute of limitations on a rape case; however she feels that the sooner a case is brought up, the stronger it will be.
“There is no pressure, but we encourage people to get police involved as soon as possible. Victims can get an exam to have police collect evidence and then go forward with the case at a later date,” Sullivan said.
Towson offers several safety precautions to help prevent sexual assault on campus. One such method is the Abascus security guards present in all of the residence halls from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.
“We sit here and check IDs because different campuses have had violence. If someone gets in the building without a OneCard I won’t let them upstairs,” Security Officer Linda Eggleston said.
The officers are trained to assess a situation and contact the police immediately.
“We have a straight line to the police. It’s a lot faster,” Eggleston said. Towson has five officers spread out on campus and we can call them at any given time and they can be here within two minutes.”
Sophomore Emily Slason believes that Towson offers sufficient protection for students to avoid assault and rape, but expects that she would be assisted if a situation ever did arise.
“I would hope that they would offer me counseling if I wanted it and that they would punish whoever my attacker was,” Slason said.
