Students wore red on Monday to show support for sexual assault survivors. The Student Government Association (SGA) encouraged students to wear red in response to a Oct. 31 sexual assault that allegedly occurred at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity. | Photo by James Crissman, Associate Editor
Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault
A female contacted police to report that she was raped by a male student at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity house at around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, according to an all-Emory email sent by Associate Vice President for Communications and Executive Director of Media Relations Nancy Seideman.
The female was acquainted with the male perpetrator, who was described as a white male with brunette hair, around 20 years of age, between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 9 inches with a medium build, according to the email. The email encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Emory Police immediately.
Following the email, SAE’s national headquarters launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged sexual assault at the “Georgia Epsilon house at Emory University,” the organization announced in a Nov. 3 press release.
“We are committed to the safety and well-being of our members and the guests with whom they interact, and that commitment includes making sure our members provide a safe, enjoyable environment in their homes,” the statement read. “Any form of assault or sexual misconduct is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate actions that violate our values.”
The release noted that the national fraternity would not hesitate to take “corrective actions” or “impose sanctions” on any of its chapters that fall short of the fraternity’s expectations.
The Wheel contacted Sigma Alpha Epsilon President and College senior Thomas Ianelli but referred to the statement made by the chapter’s national organization.
Emory Senior Communications Officer Beverly Clark wrote in an email to the Wheel that in situations like this, police may or may not pursue criminal prosecution of the perpetrator.
Clark wrote that there are many factors that could lead to prosecution, some of which include whether a survivor is personally interested in prosecuting the alleged perpetrator or whether a local district attorney’s office decides to prosecute the case based on evidence available.
She added that a survivor could decide not to pursue criminal prosecution but instead participate in Emory’s internal conduct process.
Clark wrote that based on federal law, issues surrounding student discipline and conduct are protected by privacy provisions in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
“In the case of a campus misconduct proceeding, university officials are bound by FERPA not to release specific information about any particular student conduct matter,” Clark wrote.
Some students were upset by the email citing the continual problem of sexual assault on Emory’s campus.
College junior and Student Government Association (SGA) President Jon Darby sent a campus-wide email which voiced concern over instances of sexual violence and recommended that students wear red on Monday to show support sexual assault survivors on Emory’s campus.
Other students felt the email left much to be desired and criticized its content and style explaining that it did not provide proper warnings and advice.
College senior and former Sexual Assault Peer Advocates (SAPA) Events Coordinator Samantha Grayman sent a letter to Seideman on behalf of SAPA in February requesting that trigger warnings (warning messages preceding content that can be disturbing to survivors of sexual assault) should be added to all-Emory emails addressing sexual assault. Grayman also requested that the all-Emory emails should avoid victim-blaming statements.
College senior and former SAPA President Elizabeth Neyman clarified that statements such as “after dark, walk with a partner or in a group whenever possible,” which appeared in a Feb. 16 public safety notice, place the responsibility for preventing experiences of violence on the sexual assault survivors.
Neyman wrote an email to the Wheel explaining that in the most recent public safety email, SAPA’s request for a trigger warning was ignored but the email largely followed SAPA’s request for avoiding victim-blaming safety tips.
According to Clark, the suggestions made by SAPA were considered and incorporated into the message reflected in the recently revised community notices.
“Community feedback regarding these messages is helpful in ensuring the goal of a safe environment for all,” Clark wrote.
Neyman said she also shared the letter with the new Senior Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs Jerry Lewis in an effort to ensure the all-Emory public safety notices are accessible to all.
For more information regarding Emory’s sexual misconduct policies and resources, visit Emory’s Sexual Misconduct Resources website at: http://sexualmisconductresources.emory.edu/
If you or someone you know has been affected by violence, students can get free, confidential advocacy and support by calling CAPS 404.727.7450 and ask to speak with the Respect Program Advocate.
This story was updated at 12:55 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 5 to change the words “female victim” in the first and second paragraphs to “female.”
Atlanta Hawks Beat Writer |
Dustin is a senior from Miami, FL in the Goizueta Business School studying strategy & management consulting and finance. He joined the Wheel’s editorial board in the spring of his freshman year and spent the next two years helping lead and shape the news team. Outside of the Wheel, Dustin is also a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and an avid South Florida sports fan… even without LeBron James.
