A Timely Notification Bulletin was sent out to all Wayne State students at on Sept. 24 at 5:41 p.m. after a reported assault outside U.S Conn Library.
The assault was reported to have happened on Sept. 21 at 9:30 p.m. to a female. The male suspect is still unknown.
Sexual assault is a serious crime that happens regularly across communities, including college campuses.
This leaves survivors to deal with both physical and mental scars.
Studies show that this issue is one of the more underreported crimes.
All too often, survivors are left with no support and an abundance of fears.
Wayne State students, in protest of sexual assault, formed together to raise awareness about this ongoing issue on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Students banded together to set up a protest on campus. Up to 50 students attended this protest while they chanted, “Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no!” and “Stop the violence, no more silence, women fight back!”
Grayson Bales, a junior at WSC, and one of the students who planned the protest, explained the beginning processes of what it was like organizing the event.
“I just did a lot of rallying, and I got help from people, a lot of help from people, which I’ve appreciated,” Bales said.
Students such as Bales have passion to end violence happening on campus.
To end the protest, Bales offered his words to survivors that “there’s always hope” and that “you always have people to reach out to.”
WSC agrees that sexual violence is a serious issue to be handled, and each report is taken seriously.
WSC offers many resources to keep their students safe. Jay Collier, the director of college relations, oversees both the communication and marketing for WSC.
“If you have concerns about safety on campus, contact campus security… They’re available 24/7,” Collier said.
Collier brought to light many ways students can use resources such as campus security and the Title IX office.
“My role as college relations communications, I was informed after the report was made on the 24th that we would need to send out a timely warning to campus… if there is a crime committed on campus, and we do not have suspect by name… then we’re required to send out a timely warning to campus to let them know that there’s been a safety violation,” Collier said.
Collier said there are many resources on campus to help students feel safe.
Students like Bales and all those who attended the protest show that many WSC students are passionate about ending sexual violence on campus.
Through community awareness and utilizing the resources given to us students, we can begin to build a safer environment.
If you or anyone you know are being affected by sexual violence, don’t be afraid to speak up.
Campus Security is always available to reach out to, as well as national resources like the national sexual assault hotline, which can be contacted at 1-800-656-4673.
