“Much of the media coverage in Chessy’s case painted her as a confused, naive 15-year-old while her attacker was described as a scholar athlete headed for Harvard. “In many instances, stories focus on the victim’s actions - what she was wearing, whether she groomed herself, and how much she was drinking - rather than how and why the perpetrator committed the crime,” Abelson said. I protested to let survivors know that I stand with them and I will not stop fighting until rape culture is eradicated,” she said.įor Abelson, working with Prout made her more sensitive to the ways in which media influences our understanding of rape and sexual assault. “I am concerned about the impact this could have on high schools, making them feel less safe for survivors to come forward. ![]() ![]() The new guidelines also got rid of time frames for completing investigations.Īt George Mason University last fall, she and her parents protested DeVos’ push for rollbacks. ![]() Under DeVos the standard of proof for accusers was raised from a “preponderance of evidence” to “clear and convincing evidence” and also permitted cases to be settled in mediation sessions between the accuser and the accused. Last year, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos moved to change the way universities handle sexual assault. Waiting until college is simply too late.” “Consent education can start as early as kindergarten, teaching children to ask permission before hugging or touching another student. I had no education on sexual assault or consent and didn’t have the vocabulary to describe what had happened to me,” Prout said. “Part of what motivated me to write this book was that I didn’t know what happened to me was a crime. Moreover, she suggests schools partner with local advocacy groups to educate administrators, teachers and students on how to create an environment where survivors feel supported and comfortable coming forward. She advocates mandatory third-party audits of schools to ensure they are reporting and responding appropriately to sexual assault on campus. Jenn Abelson signs copies of ‘I Have the Right To.’ (Courtesy)įor Prout, change will only happen when school administrations dedicate themselves to education and accountability. It may not be your immediate family or close friends, but there is a fierce group of advocates, lawyers, and fellow survivors ready, willing, and able to support their healing and pursuit of justice. To those women Prout said, “there is a community out in the world that is ready to support survivors, no matter where you are. Knowing there is a high likelihood of being disbelieved, shamed and blamed for reporting their sexual assault is partly why many women, no matter their age, stay mum about it. In her memoir Prout wrote about being re-victimized by the defense lawyer. I was lucky enough to be believed by the police and to have a supportive family, Prout said. Unfortunately, many victims are forgotten or afraid to report because of the intersectionality of racism and sexism. “This is an issue that affects everyone, regardless of their education, race, gender, or economic status. ![]() While the of issue sexual assault on university campuses has gained widespread media attention, sexual assault in high schools, regardless of where they fall on the socioeconomic spectrum, has not. Chessy Prout, right, at the press conference where New Hampshire congresswoman Annie Kuster announced a new task force on sexual assault.
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