Students will be able to attend a student-led panel discussion regarding sexual assault and the misunderstandings and misconceptions regarding it.
The panel is called “That’s Problematic” and will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 27 in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.
Remy Barnett, Title IX investigator, has been involved with the creation of the panel, which will consist of five students.
“We got a group of volunteers together to start the conversation and really build some momentum around it, just around talking about sexual assault myths, about what consent is, really getting in to that conversation in depth and really highlighting student voices,” Barnett said.
The goal of the panel is to offer questions and answers through student-led discussions.
“It’s always a little awkward when we have a panel of experts and we’re talking about sex, which is part so many of our students’ lives. Being able to have that conversation person to person, student to student, I think is really critical,” Barnett said.
Barnett will not speak with the panelists; instead, Barnett and an additional confidential resource will be outside the Great Hall for students who want information on their rights and their options in reporting cases of sexual assault.
Taylor Downey, religion sophomore, is a Student Professional in Barnett’s office and will serve as the moderator for the panel. She said the panel plans to discuss misconceptions about sexual assault cases.
“The event is centered mostly on the myths about sexual assault that society accepts and the things that permeate especially through pop culture,” Downey said.
Downey also said this topic is very relevant to college students.
“It’s a problem everywhere, but especially on college campuses. I think it will be really good for our campus especially, starting the dialogue and talking about it now should be pretty beneficial,” she said.
Downey said students of all majors and years are encouraged to attend the panel.
“I hope it will make our campus a little more questioning and not so accepting of the things they hear and maybe question themselves too,” she said.
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