An Opinion Piece on how we deal with campus sexual assault

The News Journal opinion piece written by Cleta Mitchell and Trent Lott – Rethinking how we deal with campus sexual assault.

As of July 2015, there were 124 colleges and 40 school districts currently under investigation for handling of sexual assault. The University of Delaware being one of them, they were placed on the list in May 2014. To see the entire list and to read more, click here.

Below is a portion of the opinion piece and it is so true, things need to change on our college campuses. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) reports that sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes, with 68% still being left unreported and only 2 out of every 100 rapists serve time, this is just unacceptable!

When a perpetrator has been found guilty by the school, the most serious punishment available is expulsion. But those who commit sexual violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. As the Rape, Incest and Abuse National Network (RAINN) wrote to the White House last year, “It would never occur to anyone to leave the adjudication of a murder in the hands of a school’s internal judicial process. Why, then, is it not only common, but expected, for them to do so when it comes to sexual assault?”

Things Need to Change in DOE, When is This Going to Happen is the Question that I Hear Most?

When are things going to change? That is the question that I hear over and over from folks. It seems that most people are angry, frustrated, tired and disappointed with the current direction of US DOE and Delaware’s DOE. I hear teachers, administrators, parents, students, community members, elected officials screaming “when will things in education change here in Delaware” and no one seems to be able to answer that question. It appears that there are a few people running everything and listening to no one.

We will be electing a new Governor next year, I hope he or she is working on an educational plan that Delawareans will approve of, so we can get back on track educating our students instead of all the other items that the feds and state officials are demanding of our teachers and districts.

Before supporting a candidate for Governor and Lt. Governor ask them for their educational plan first, then make a decision.