Penn State Students Take a Stand Against Sexual Violence
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State Students Against Sexual Violence gathered in front of the Allen Street Gates for the “Untimely Warnings” rally.
This protest was organized to speak out against the sexual assaults that have occured this semester.
As of Sunday, Oct. 3, the number of reported sexual assaults hit 13, with an alarming monthly high of five reported incidents back in August.
Many students share concerns about these incidents, including first-year student majoring in biomedical engineering, Carson Karras.
“Getting all the warnings and seeing where [the sexual assaults] are taking place, like in places like Beaver Stadium, where I’m going to enjoy a football game with my friends, it’s really concerning that something could happen right there where I’m just trying to have fun,” Karras said.
At Old Main, several speakers gave speeches on the sexual violence statistics released by the university last month.
The protest ended on North Burrowes and Pollock in front of the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) Fraternity House. By concluding the event in this location, protesters stood in support of the 17-year-old female student who was raped by a member of the Fiji chapter at the University of Nebraska last September.
Second-year student majoring in psychology, Adaora Harris, attended the rally.
“The frat was banned, but still no justice was served,” Harris said.
Harris also said she wishes more people showed up to the protest considering how prevalent this issue is in our community, however, she said it was powerful to see the people who were willing to come out.
Abigail Chachoute is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email axc6070@psu.edu.
