SU Greek community takes a stand against sexual assault

This week at Syracuse University the SU Panhellenic Council developed a campaign to raise awareness  about sexual assaults on college campuses. The hashtags, #SURedZone and #orangestopsred, were formed by the Panhellenic Council as part of the campaign, and were actively used across social media.

Awareness has especially increased since the Brock Turner case was brought to national attention. More recently, Syracuse University has been under federal investigation for inappropriately handling sexual assault cases. People are upset and they have a right to be.

The statistics are alarming; one in five women will be sexually assaulted at college while one in 16 men will be. Nine in ten women knew the offender.

In addition, there was a demonstration held on the quad to peacefully protest sexual assault on college campuses.  Although the event was not affiliated with the SU Panhellenic Council, it did draw a handful of sorority members to participate.

English and Textual Studies major and Delta Gamma member Julia Teti, ’17,  was one of the few sorority women who were part of the demonstration. The Tab spoke with Teti about her experience with sexual assault on campus and why it’s important to raise awareness.

“Originally my Women’s and Gender Studies class was going to go for the last few minutes of class. I ended up staying longer. It was so powerful to be in the company of men and women who have experience sexual assault in one form or another. What was also powerful was to see so many people turn a blind eye to the demonstration. It was powerful and overwhelming,” she told The Tab.

When it comes to rape culture on college campuses, and making rapists feel uncomfortable (Teti and other demonstrators wore red tape on their mouths that read ‘rapists go here’), Teti said that there’s still a long way to go before victims will feel comfortable. “Honestly making a rapist feel uncomfortable is like trying to make some one who loves horror feel queezy. It rarely happens because often they don’t think they are in the wrong,” she said.

“When you’re wearing your favorite letters and a piece of red tape on your mouth and he walks by and waves like it never happened.”

Professional fraternities are also playing an active role in the campaign. Delta Kappa Alpha, the professional Cinema Fraternity on campus, also made a powerful short film about The Red Zone. The Tab had the opportunity to speak to Delta Kappa Alpha’s president, Television, Radio and Film major Michelle Golonka, on what inspired the members to create the film, and what #NoRedZone means to them.”We hoped to identify the problem, explain the red zone, portray the experience of survivors in an honest way, and also provide resources to people on campus,” she said.

Overall, the video received tons of supportive and positive responses from students across campus. “We were so humbled with the opportunity to make something like this and have a platform to help spread such an important message,” Golanka told the Tab.

Michelle, in red, at the Presidents Academy for DKA

Although there is still a long way to go when it comes to obliterating sexual assaults on college campuses completely, it’s refreshing to learn that Syracuse University’s Greek community is taking a stand to actively educate members and raise awareness.

There are many resources on campus and in the community for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please call one of the following numbers.

Vera House | 315.425.0818

Syracuse University Counseling Center | 315.443.4715

Syracuse University Department of Public Safety |315.443.2224

Syracuse Police Department |315.442.5200