Protesters hold signs at the Students Together Against Relationship and Sexual Violence protest on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 at Speakers Circle in Columbia, Mo. This protest is one of multiple planned for the coming week.
Content warning: The following content mentions topics concerning sexual violence.
MU student organization Stronger Together Against Relationship and Sexual Violence organized a protest in Speakers Circle on Wednesday. The protest occurred in support of the individuals recently drugged around Columbia. The protestors also demanded the university take action by holding perpetrators accountable and shifting the blame away from the victim.
The protest occurred in the wake of the University of Missouri Police Department’s email warning of perpetrators around Columbia placing predatory drugs in drinks. According to an email, MUPD is also investigating a report of sexual assault that occurred in Columbia on Sept. 24, and protesters expressed anger at the event and the language used in the communication. Junior Liberty Scott participated in the protest, and voiced her frustration with how the release focused on how victims could prevent violence instead of the perpetrator.
“They are victim blaming and shifting the focus on what women can do to prevent these things,” Scott said. “I think that is really unacceptable for the university to do. I wanted to come here today and protest against them using minimizing language like ‘unacceptable behavior.’ It’s not unacceptable behavior, it’s a crime.”
STARS Treasurer Will Sherman spoke on the creation of handmade posters for individuals interested in joining the protest. Posters included slogans such as “survivors deserve better,” “end victim blaming” and “supporting survivors includes LGBTQ+ and male victims.”
“[We] basically just [made] the posters so people could join if they want to and [ensure] that word got out about the protest prior to it to make sure we got a good crowd,” Sherman said.
Sherman voiced his support for victims and emphasized that STARS is a safe space on campus.
“[The protest is important] because it lets the victims know they have a safe space for them to come and that they are going to be respected,” Sherman said. “Speak up if something is wrong or has happened to you. There is no issue with reporting your abusers, because we are here to support you as a community.”
STARS President Noura Alhachami also spoke on her concern with MU placing responsibility on present or potential victims of sexual violence.
“We wanted to center the conversations on ‘it starts with the assaulters not with the victims,’ so we decided to have this protest to raise awareness for that,” Alhachami said. “Hopefully MUPD and Mizzou faculty and other people can see that and bring about change in the language we use, but also potentially hold the assaulters accountable for their actions.”
The protestors chanted slogans to gain attention from pedestrians and, in some cases, passersby joined. Ifeoma Anunoby, president of the Queer Trans People of Color student organization, led a chant of “no means no.” They said the organization stands with the protest and said MU should listen to its students.
“Overall, Mizzou needs to do better,” Anunoby said. “There’s a reason we are out here today, and that should not have happened in the first place. We really just need Mizzou to listen to the students. If we are here, if we are paying — because obviously they do want our money — they should be supporting us. They should be doing things to make sure we are safe on this campus.”
Andy Hayes, assistant vice chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, attended briefly to show support for the protestors.
“I think it is always positive when students show activism when we need to bring things to people’s attention,” Hayes said. “To me, it’s a nice demonstration.”
Junior Megan Martin attended after hearing about the event from a friend in STARS.
“I just wanted to come and show my support for the survivors,” Martin said. “I just hope it would inspire survivors to come forward and those who have been perpetrating [sexual violence] to be held accountable.”
After the protest concluded, Alhachami said she was happy with the turnout, and felt it showed students want change on campus.
Junior Michelle Le, a member of STARS, wants MU to do more to keep students safe from sexual violence.
“Mizzou, MUPD and policies in general have not really been doing anything to help protect women,” Le said. “MU owes us some safety.”
On Oct. 5 at 7 p.m., MU students plan to protest against sexual violence at Traditions Plaza. Individuals looking for additional resources and support can visit the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center, Counseling Center, Student Health Center or University Hospital for a confidential visit. To report an event, students may contact the Title IX office. For off-campus support, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
Edited by Namratha Prasad, nprasad@themaneater.com