As a student, I am deeply troubled by the on-going crisis of sexual assault on college campuses across the country. Recent high-profile incidents at universities have shone a glaring spotlight on this pervasive issue, and it is clear that more urgent action is needed to protect vulnerable students.
The statistics are staggering – studies show that as many as one in four women will experience sexual assault during their time in college.
And the trauma inflicted on these survivors goes far beyond the initial incident, often leaving lasting impacts on their mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Yet, time and again, we see universities failing to properly address these crimes or provide adequate support for victims.
Just last month, there were disturbing reports of a series of sexual assaults that occurred at a party hosted by a campus fraternity. Despite multiple student testimonies, the university administration was slow to act, and the perpetrators faced minimal consequences. This sends a chilling message to survivors – which their safety and their voices do not matter.
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This is unacceptable. As students, we deserve to feel secure and protected in our academic environment. We should not have to live in fear of predators lurking in the shadows of our own campus. Universities have a moral and ethical obligation to prioritize student safety above all else.
This means implementing robust prevention programs, increasing security measures, and ensuring that reporting and investigative processes are swift, fair, and survivor-centric. It means providing comprehensive support services, from medical care to counselling to legal assistance, for any student who experiences sexual violence. And it means holding perpetrators fully accountable through strict disciplinary actions, including immediate expulsion.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with university leadership to take decisive action and demonstrate a true commitment to eradicating sexual assault on their campuses. Anything less is a complete abdication of their duty to protect the well-being of their students.
As a member of this campus community, I am calling on my university’s administration to make student safety the top priority. The time for empty promises and half-measures has passed – we need real, tangible change to address this crisis and ensure that no student ever has to suffer the trauma of sexual assault. Our education, our futures, and our lives depend on it.
By Tonny Kyule
Tonny Kyule is a student at Rongo University in Migori County
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