MC1313 - Fall 2018 (Thursdays)

Students speak up about sexual assault on campus By Robert Rivera rmr176@txstate.edu SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State students were interviewed on their thoughts/opinions on sexual assault as it relates to the campus environment and college life on Oct. 29 – Nov. 1. The interviews were conducted by Texas State Media Writing students for an assignment that required obtaining direct quotes and opinions from various sources to discuss sexual assault. “(Sexual assault is) sexual acts exercised on involuntary individuals,” said Andrew Samples, a 22-year-old male. The definition of sexual assault expressed by Samples tended to be the general idea held by most students interviewed. Although most students have not personally been a victim to sexual assault, many showed a similar resolve regarding punishments for those who commit the act. (Ty Cervantes) “Have better presentations at Catcamp and/or orientation that don’t scare dudes into committing sexu...

Lilyanna Elizondo, political science and sociology double major, 19 Sexual assault begins by validating the behavior that leads to sexual violence on a more pervasive level instead of immediately condemning it.  When asked what it meant to her, Lilyanna said, “Hmm, I guess I’d say it’s when someone touches you in a sexual way or aggressively comes on to you without your consent.” Lilyanna discusses her story from a time when she was too young to understand there was a name for this kind of behavior.  “One time I can think of... is when I was hanging out with my cousin and his friend, and we were all watching a movie. I was in middle school at the time and my cousin and his friend were both in high school… all of a sudden, my cousin’s friend’s hand touch- or like, it kind of grazes up my leg. I pulled my leg back really fast and he just gave me this really creepy smile. I don’t know, I never told my cousin about it cause I’m pretty sure he would’ve beat him up ...

Levi Leal lvl7@txstate.edu 21 Non-binary (Uses They/Them Pronouns) Gay Senior Ceramics Major Hispanic Has previously witnessed or experienced sexual assault. Feels that sexual assault is a problem on campus. "[Texas State] could do more to prevent sexual assault." Defines sexual assault as "Any sexual activity that is not consented, or unwanted." "If you're in a situation that could possibly be dangerous, make sure that you're keeping an eye on people that are your friends or people that might be risky, or you see your friends doing something that could potentially be sexual assault but they don't know that it's wrong, you call them out on it." "I think the education they give to the freshmen on sexual assault and alcohol safety is good but maybe they should open that up to every classification, because a lot of people come in and they are transfer students and they never hear that kind of thing so maybe make it requ...

   (opted out of photo)  Sarah Jimenez, Health Fitness and Exercise major, 21 Many students have experienced or at least witnessed sexual assault.  Sarah Jimenez said, “Yes, on the square where a drunk guy kept pursing and touching a girl and his advances were unwelcomed.”  When asked to define sexual assault, Jimenez said, “Unwelcoming sexual advances towards one person to another.” “Speak more about it before the fact and not after an attack through email,” said Jimenez about what Texas State University should do to condemn sexual assault.  "Consistently using my voice to tell others that [sexual assault] not okay."                                       (opted out of photo)                                    Ashley Grzonka, Cri...

Interviews, Pictures, Quotes  October 30th 2018  Sam Pillion Male 20 years old Criminal Justice Major  "Doing something sexual to someone, without at person's consent." "I have not experienced or witnessed sexual assault."  "I can personally do my best to make sure the people I know are informed about the risk and severity that comes with sexual assault." "Well I am uniformed of anything that Texas State dose for sexual assault or its victims. Maybe Texas State can open a hotline for sexual assault, something like the bobcat bobbies where someone who has been sexually assaulted can call in and inform the Texas State police of the details of what happened. Also, maybe forming a sexual harassment group, where people who have been sexually assaulted can come and tell their story. This could help the police in a further investigation, and could be beneficial fo...