In recent weeks, multiple sexual assaults have occurred on or near Auburn University’s campus. Students have increasingly shared their frustrations with school officials’ responses.

 

By Collin Mayfield and Daniel Schmidt

Oct. 25, 2021

 

Warning: Distressing Content.

 

AUBURN, Ala. - In response to numerous female students being sexually assaulted at the start of the Fall 2021 semester, Auburn University students have organized protests and campus groups to share solutions and pressure university officials into action.

 

For those who have felt compelled to join those groups and participate in demonstrations, it simply boils down to one word: safety.

 

“The university needs to make their students feel safe, and many don't feel safe right now because the university keeps protecting criminals,” said Lili, a first-year student at Auburn University and sorority member.

 

In June 2021, Lili was sexually assaulted at an off-campus party, but her alleged rapist, also an Auburn student, has not yet been charged according to her.

 

“I believe that the university should have stricter guidelines on punishment for rapists, and I believe that not only the name of the frat should be released, but the name of the perpetrator should be released and [they] should be punished,” Lili said. “They [Auburn University] should stop trying to protect the organization and they should protect the actual victims.”

 

Auburn University Campus Safety and Security sent a campus-wide email on Sept. 8, stating that a female student had reported she was raped - as defined by the federal Clery Act - and physically assaulted at the beginning of September in on-campus housing by an “acquaintance.”

 

Just two days later on Sept. 10, a second student disclosed to police that she was raped at a still-unnamed fraternity house. The victim allegedly had physical injuries consistent with rape, though she disclosed few other details to police. 

 

That sexual assault occurred after another unnamed female student had reported being forcibly groped by an unknown person near Aubie Hall as she was walking home from campus earlier that same day.

 

In response, more than 100 people gathered at Toomer’s Corner on Tuesday, Sept. 14 to protest a lack of accountability regarding sexual assaults at Auburn. 

 

Despite the presence of rain, a second, larger protest occurred on Thursday, Sept. 16, with those in attendance unsatisfied with the university’s response in the two days after the initial protest.

 

Protestors held signs reading “No Means No” and “Rapists Don’t Belong at Auburn' and dressed in red to show support for victims, chanting “name the frat,” in a call for accountability as cars drove by and honked in solidarity.

 

After witnessing the raw, visceral displays of public outrage, university officials held a town hall on Sept. 22 in an attempt to combat sexual assaults as well as restore confidence in the university’s ability to protect students. The event consisted of campus safety personnel, Title IX officers and Student Psychological Services, among other groups. 

 

“We want to make sure that you [students] feel safe on our campus,” Bobby Woodard, vice president of student affairs, said in an effort to placate those present.

 

During that town hall, Katherine Weathers of the university’s Title IX office revealed that since August 2020, Auburn has received 64 reports of sexual assault. In 27 of those cases, the perpetrators were unnamed, and 19 of the 64 sexual assaults were committed by individuals who were affiliated with the university.

 

In the wake of the protests, student advocacy groups have formed an ‘Auburn SA Awareness’ GroupMe to discuss preventing other campus incidents. Protestors have called for the name of the fraternity involved to be released and expressed disdain at the lack of transparency since the university has provided few details.

 

However, there are reasons why more information has not been released. 

 

On Sept. 19, 2021, a similar assault allegedly occurred at the University of Massachusetts, with the victim claiming she was assaulted in the Theta Chi fraternity house. As a result, vandalism of Theta Chi’s property occurred, with cars parked on the street being smashed and verbal aggression being hurled at pledges and active members. 

 

After several days, students in Massachusetts organized similar demonstrations that elicited a heavy law enforcement presence and were more contentious than those in Auburn.

 

While aware of the intense response from the student body at the University of Massachusetts, Camille, a junior at Auburn University, is still in favor of disclosing the fraternity’s name. She argued that if Auburn were to put its foot down and expose the truth of the situation, it would make it very clear the university does not condone that behavior.

 

For female students at Auburn, these specific instances are extremely concerning. 

 

“I would say before the last three weeks I would have felt safe, but recently I haven't just because of everything that’s been going on on campus,” Camille said. “I feel safe when I am in my classes, but if I am anywhere on campus around sunset, I always feel very cautious and very aware of what’s going on around me. I will try to put my keys in my hand, in case someone tries to come up to me, or make sure to lock my door behind me super quick.”

 

Auburn’s female students have shared suggestions about what they believe needs to be done to curb instances of sexual assault, such as the university creating a healthier social environment in which students interact. 

 

Students also said they want to see Auburn do more to educate the entire student body on how to prevent sexual violence when officials are not present. The university, students say, should show there is a true zero-tolerance policy when it comes to preventing sexual assault and following through on safety initiatives.

 

In addition to the university setting firmer standards for punishing sexual assault and abuse, students and advocates say Auburn needs to improve accessibility to Title IX services. Auburn University’s Safe Harbor, an advocacy group for victims, is one of those providers. 

 

“[We] believe, support and assist students and employees of Auburn University who have experienced power-based personal violence, including dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking/ harassment,” AU Safe Harbor’s website reads.

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However, students have reported that the university has not explicitly made these resources known and that they have been in the dark when it comes to knowing what exactly is available to them.

 

“I believe that resources should be more accessible and more publicized because I know that when I was raped I had no idea what Safe Harbor was, which is basically like an organization through Auburn that advocates for rape and sexual assault victims,” Lili said. “It helps them through academic struggles, mental struggles, and they refer you to therapists and counselors and they help get things done. It’s not very public to where everyone knows about it. Everyone should.”

 

While time will tell if Auburn University officials will follow through on another promise to truly curb instances of sexual assault, one thing is for certain: they now have the student body’s attention.

 

The following resources are available on and off campus, 24 hours a day:

• Safe Harbor: 334-844-7233 or [safeharbor@auburn.edu]safeharbor@auburn.edu

• Rape Counselors of East Alabama: 334-705-0510

Resources for Survivors: www.auburn.edu/titleix