College students from around the state on Tuesday will take a stand against sexual assault as part of a campaign to get people more involved in preventing rape and other acts of sexual violence on campuses in America.
The campaign is a national initiative that raises awareness of sexual assault on college campuses and promotes active participation by asking people to make personal commitments to help end sexual assault, said Nikki Godfrey, a project coordinator for the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services.
"We really wanted to create something that would have an impact across the state as we fight to address sexual assault," she said.
An estimated one in five women, and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college.
While Godfrey didn't have exact statistics for West Virginia's colleges, she said one in six women, and one in 21 men experience completed or attempted sexual assault in their lifetime.
The majority of assaults are never reported.
The coordinated event is part of the "It's On Us" campaign and will include a pledge drive on 17 college campuses and at nine rape crisis centers, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
Godfrey said she expects hundreds to participate at each location.
While the Foundation for Rape Information and Services has sponsored pledge drives around the state, this will be the first event of its kind on a college campus, Godfrey said.
People who participate in the pledge agree to recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault, to identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given and to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.
The campaign is part of a national initiative that encourages college students to find solutions to end campus sexual assault. It was launched by President Barack Obama in 2014.
"It is on all of us to reject the quiet tolerance of sexual assault and to refuse to accept what's unacceptable," Obama said during a press conference announcing the campaign.
The Obama administration has made it a priority to end sexual assault on campuses and review existing laws to make sure victims are protected. Some of the White House's efforts include offering guidance to every school district, college and university that receives federal funding. The Obama administration also created a task force that works with colleges and universities on developing ways to prevent and respond to sexual assault.
Godfrey said colleges are changing the way they handle sexual assault in response to increased awareness. Colleges also are required to establish procedures to prevent sexual harassment and violence as part of federal Title IX rules, which prohibits sex discrimination in education.
But more can be done, she said.
"We have to get students involved," she said. "They're the ones at parties and out seeing where these things happen."
Godfrey said students have the power to step in and prevent violence.
Part of preventing sexual assault, Godfrey said, is getting students to be aware of high-risk behaviors and how to respond in a situation that could lead to sexual assault.
More information about how to prevent sexual assault on college campuses can be found at the Foundation for Rape Information and Services' website.
The full list of universities and colleges in West Virginia participating in the pledge drive include Alderson Broaddus University, Bethany College, Concord University, Davis and Elkins College, Fairmont State University, Glenville State College, Marshall University, Salem International University, Shepherd University, the University of Charleston, West Liberty University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, West Virginia University, West Virginia University at Parkersburg, West Virginia State University, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Wheeling Jesuit University.
Nine rape crisis centers from around the state also will participate in the event.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Reach Samuel Speciale at sam.speciale@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-7939 or follow @samueljspeciale on Twitter.