The flyers posted on campus last week regarding sexual assault have a poignant message: “We, the women of UTSA, are choosing to take a stand against the rampant sexual assault and abuse on campus and in the world.”
“To see the flyer hung up on campus was revolutionary. As someone who has personally encountered instances dealing with rape, I believe this dialogue is worth having. Men and women need to congregate and talk about this topic that is so often overlooked,” said a member of the group posting the flyers. The Paisano is not identifying the source because she has been a victim of sexual assault.
President Taylor Eighmy sent two emails to the university community on Nov. 15 and Nov. 20 regarding the flyers posted in campus bathrooms.
“Sexual misconduct of any kind is unacceptable, and UTSA must be an institution of zero tolerance,” said Eighmy in one of his emails. Eighmy also stated that the university is conducting a Title IX investigation.
The member stated the reason the movement has taken matters into their own hands is due to the lack of support victims receive from universities.
“Colleges typically don’t report the accurate amount of rapes that happen on campus … [Universities] are not taking care of their students. If no one is going to take care of them, then we need to take care of ourselves,” she said.
The movement wants to provide the resources universities are not providing, such as security and adequate counseling.
“If the school doesn’t want to provide those resources, then I don’t see why we can’t do it instead of sitting and complaining.”
The flyers were posted in UTSA bathrooms for a specific reason.
“I feel like one of the safest places for a woman to be, is in a restroom that is solely for women. You’re not going to be shamed for reading a flyer that’s on a stall or on the mirror.”
Eighmy stated in the email that the safety and the well-being of students and the entire UTSA community is a top priority.
“I am committed to tackling this situation head-on as well as advancing our work to cultivate a campus environment of zero-tolerance,” Eighmy said.
