Diverse Sources- Robertta & Joshua

Daryl Ontiveros, Advertising, 22

• Senior
• Male

3. Have you previously experienced or witnessed any form of sexual assault?   
  No  

4. Do you feel sexual assault is a problem in Texas State University?
 "I want to say so, it’s a pretty common problem across all campuses."

           

5. Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?

"I don’t think so. Just because they can put out as much information as they want regarding what to do when sexual assault happens. As far as being able to do anything as far as preventing it? I’m not sure there’s a whole lot to be done there. I feel like most of it happens, you know, at like get togethers, parties, stuff like that."

10. How would you define sexual assault?

"an unwanted sexual advance in any degree. Anything that makes the person feel uncomfortable. Well, not anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. I would say anything that’s definitely physical. Someone can hit on someone, I wouldn’t say that’s sexual assault necessarily."

11. Have you previously experienced or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?

No.

12. What can you do, personally, to prevent sexual assault?

"I don’t feel I really   have a whole lot of power to do anything to prevent sexual assault for anybody except lend a hand when somebody has been sexually assaulted. You know be there for them. Support system, be a part of their support system. Get them the resources they need. If I’m out a party or whatever, being a little more observant about what’s going on around me. If I notice that something’s kind of sketchy between two people where someone might be taken advantage of- kind of keep that on the radar. Kind of let someone else know."

  

13. What should Texas State University do to discourage/condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victim(s) on campus? 

“I think when the perpetrator engages an act of sexual assault they should be punished. I don’t know if expelled is too harsh a punishment but, something pretty close to it. Made to pay a very hefty fine. Something very serious, severe punishment. That’s not cool. Nobody should ever do that to somebody else"

Katherine Betz, English for Secondary Education, 23

Requested not to have picture taken

• Junior
• Female

 

3. Have you previously experienced or witnessed any form of sexual assault?

No.

4. Do you feel sexual assault is a problem in Texas State University?

“As little as I hear of it? No.”

           

5. Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults? "I don’t really see a lot of cops or safety precautions or deterrents anywhere. So I guess, no"

10. How would you define sexual assault?

"Any unwanted physical transactions towards an individual."

11. Have you previously experienced or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?

 "No."

12. What can you do, personally, to prevent sexual assault?

"Personally, just educate everyone on the fact that it’s there. It exists. I think education is the best way to do it. Talk about it."

13. What should Texas State University do to discourage/condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victim(s) on campus? 

"Have more authority around especially on corners and for safety. Maybe have an AA kinda thing. People help people. People who’ve been through it help people on an emotional level."

Harika Vusirikala, Computer Science, 26

Requested not to have picture taken

• Grad Student
• Female  

 3. Have you previously experienced or witnessed any form of sexual assault?

No  

4. Do you feel sexual assault is a problem in Texas State University?

“I’ve never seen people experience such things”

           

5. Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?

“I’m not aware of the preventions taken by Texas State”

 
10. How would you define sexual assault?

“If somebody's trying to sexually contact someone without their permission”

11. Have you previously experienced or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?

"No."

12. What can you do, personally, to prevent sexual assault?

"Probably, I can strongly say no. I feel that is one of the strongest things you can do.”

13. What should Texas State University do to discourage/condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victim(s) on campus? 

"They have the police Bobcat Bobbies to contact and they have guardian app. All these things, I think, are good enough. They have to provide more awareness about the preventions they have taken." 

Tiril Borchers, 21

 

•  Senior
• Non-binary

 3. Have you previously experienced or witnessed any form of sexual assault?

"Not personally, thank God."

4. Do you feel sexual assault is a problem in Texas State University?

"Yeah. I feel that it’s a problem in any university not just Texas State."

           

5. Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?

"I would say so. I feel like there’s a lot of information and support regarding reporting assault."

10. How would you define sexual assault?

"Any sexual contact that is unwanted by either party. Verbal or physical."

  

12. What can you do, personally, to prevent sexual assault?

"Speak up against any actions that I see or any behavior that encourages nasty behavior like that. And support causes."

13. What should Texas State University do to discourage/condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victim(s) on campus? 

"Educating people better on what is and isn’t appropriate and what sexual assault actually is. Maybe making it clear where to find support and make resources more available. Definitely encouraging people to speak up against it and not let things slide by."

Stacy Adams, Nursing, 20 

 

• Sophomore
• Female

3. Have you previously experience or witnessed any form of sexual assault?
    Yes.
4. Do you feel sexual assault is problem in Texas State University?
    No.
5. Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?
    Yes.
10. How would you define sexual assault?
    "Sexual assault could be a form... of verbal harassment, physical harassment,... just anything that could be inappropriate and makes the other person feel... uncomfortable and it's directed in a... sexual context."
11. Have you previously experience or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?
    "I have--- Spring Break, last year. Me and my friends... we went to a hot top. We were in like a family type of environment. It was after hours...Nobody really cared, so we went there and... this older man came down from his apartment and was like "Oh yeah, I was watching y'all... from my apartment and decide to come down," Me and her were drinking, so we didn't think anything of it. The night progresses and we are just having fun, he just sitting there telling us whatever he does... He's a cop apparently... and like he feels like he's in a... comfortable position enough to try to kiss and grab on us... We just left."
12. What precautions do you take to avoid sexual assault?
      "After experiencing that, I let myself be mostly like full-minded, where it's not like I'm in a position of vulnerability. If I feel like there is a scene that could be maybe riske... I don't really try and like go alone or be by myself or wear something that could give someone the impression that I'm trying to "ask for it," as they would say...Keep pepper spray."
13.What should Texas State University do to discourage/Condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victims on campus?
     "I don't really hear too much about sexual assault... just that it is an issue... I do know they send those reports... but it's just like we just know about, we aren't seeing anything actions to change. Even though that they showing... that they are proactively trying to find culprit, I feel like there needs to be a conversation."
14. Do you know of any resources on campus you can reach out to in case of a sexual assault?
     "The counselors could be a good resource... you know if you feel trauma... University Police... could be a good source if you need closure... but I don't really know of any organizations."
15. Why do you think sexual assault cases are hard to resolve? 
     "It's hard to regulate what happens in closed doors... Most sexual assault usually don't happen out in the open and they usually don't happen when people are in a coherent state and with that it's hard to play the he-said-she-said game... It's hard to have evidence and most people are to afraid or to embarrassed to come forward when it does happen... The only way to resolve it, is if people just speak up."

Valeria Escalante, Electronic Media, 21

•  Senior
• Female

3. Have you previously experience or witnessed any form of sexual assault?
    Yes.
4. Do you feel sexual assault is problem in Texas State University?
    Yes.
5. Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?
    They could do more.
10. How would you define sexual assault?
    "I believe sexual assault is anything that is... an action that is put upon you physically that you didn't consent for... I believe... rape is sort of a sexual assault... someone touching you inappropriately when you didn't give consent is another example of sexual assault."
11. Have you previously experience or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?
    "Yes, I did. It was in more of a party setting were there was alcohol involved. I guess when people consume a lot of alcohol... consent is out of the question... people cannot give consent at that point in time. Things do tend to happen where perhaps... a boy and a girl were one of them or both of them cannot give consent... and they have sexual relations."
12. What precautions do you take to avoid sexual assault?
     "Having a buddy or someone that goes with you to if you go to the Square or go to parties, to have someone to account for you, if you do get to the point that you were you are intoxicated or you cannot control your actions to have someone with at all times. Making sure you're drinking responsibly, you're not drinking whatever someone hands to you."
13.What should Texas State University do to discourage/Condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victims on campus?
      "Definitely having more awareness about it. We don't see it or hear it a lot but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist here on campus. So, definitely bringing an awareness and more transparency about sexual activity on campus. For sororities and fraternities, and even student organizations that have not on campus sponsored events, to have that education... on drinking responsibility. Having Title IX... especially who are responsible for sexual assault cases... bringing them more involved into having mandatory... [seminars]... so it's not too intimidating for victims to come forward and share their experience."
14. Do you know of any resources on campus you can reach out to in case of a sexual assault?
     "I am apart of an organization, Latinas Unidas, so we are definitely an organization to help women... women of color... with any struggle... academics or even more serious cases like sexual assault. So definitely coming to the officers or our advisors... Dr. Stella Silva, she is one of the Title IX people... she also someone you can go for that. Title IX coordinators those are the people you should definitely go talk to about that. Someone you feel won't judge you or is easily accessible to you would be like student organizations."
15. Why do you think sexual assault cases are hard to resolve? 
     "The number one reason, I feel that's the case, is because the people that experience the sexual assault feel like it's their fault. They blame themselves for perhaps drinking too much or dressing the right way... that's the reason they don't come forward. The second reason... sexual assault cases occur with people you know... like acquaintances, even the person you consider your friend. It isn't necessarily someone you never met. It is a little tough to bring a case forward when you know this person will get in trouble and even face potential charges. I think it's a scary thing to be put in, but definitely something that if someone needs to press charges... or feel like they have been violated in some way they should definitely do that." 
 

Yessica Rodriguez, Advertising, 21

• Junior
• Female

3. Have you previously experience or witnessed any form of sexual assault?

   Yes.

4. Do you feel sexual assault is problem in Texas State University?
   Yes.
5. Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?
   They could do more.
10. How would you define sexual assault?
    "Personally, I would define sexual assault as any action that is not consented, like any unwanted... touching, comment, or like a physical activity... that any person didn't consent to whether it be a female or male."
11. Have you previously experience or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?
     "Minor cases of sexual assault, and I know many of my other friends have.... In middle school it was very popular to have a "Slap-ass Friday." So we've kind of been exposed to it at a very young age and no one really taught us at that age that was wrong. They just told us that it was wrong but they didn't tell us it had a specific word or anything for it. I think I've definitely been exposed to it for a long time and many of my friends have. Thankfully I haven't experienced anything too grave in that type of situation, but I feel like comments like... catcalls and whistling and stuff like that, I still feel like that's kind of a minor form of sexual assault... I think a lot of people have experienced that."
12. What precautions do you take to avoid sexual assault?
     "I'm aware of my surroundings, like if I were to be at a party, I'd make my own drink, I wouldn't take drinks... I'm kind of just like keeping an eye out. If I see something suspicious and they're giving to a girl, I might tell the girl that guy kind of put something in it... I think it's a lot harder to prevent stuff that occurs to you because you're not aware of it but I think it would be a lot easier... to prevent things for other people than yourself."
13.What should Texas State University do to discourage/Condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victims on campus?
    "I think awareness is just a big thing... At my old school, we had to take a Title IX type of... online course in order to get a hold taken off, so you can register. Also the introductory classes, like the [University Seminar]... that would be a good thing to bring a topic about that."

Azul Moreno, Biology, 18

• Freshman
• Female

3. Have you previously experience or witnessed any form of sexual assault?

    No.

4. Do you feel sexual assault is problem in Texas State University?
   Yes.
5. Do you believe Texas State University does a well enough job of preventing future sexual assaults?
   They could do more.
10. How would you define sexual assault?
     "When someone experiences some form of violation... when it's not consensual." 
11. Have you previously experience or witnessed sexual assault? If so, explain?
     " I actually haven't."
12. What precautions do you take to avoid sexual assault?
     "I carry pepper spray with me, and I usually let my friends know where I am at."
13.What should Texas State University do to discourage/Condemn sexual assault, and how can they better help the victims on campus?
      "Spread more awareness about it, and maybe have a couple classes that show... that this isn't really something that is right. Most of the time it's kind of swept under the rug and for victims, just knowing that they have a support system and that we won't shame them for anything or victim blame."