Student Led March Takes Place on Campus After Alleged Sexual Assaults
A group of University of Colorado Boulder freshman led a march to the Pi Kappa Alpha house after alleged sexual assaults over Halloween weekend.
By Marissa Lapointe and Claire Cecere
On Friday, Nov. 5, a group of protesters, organized by a group of freshman students at the University of Colorado Boulder, walked from campus to the Pi Kappa Alpha house in protest of recent alleged sexual assaults and rape culture on college campuses.
According to an article released by Fox 31, the fraternity house was not stated by police, but there was confirmation of ongoing investigations of two separate assaults at a fraternity house in the 1000 block of 12th Street.
Selena Powell, a student organizer for the march, stated the need for attention to be placed on greek life and for members within the fraternity to begin holding other members accountable.
“We don’t want this to get swept under the rug again,” said Powell. “We want the change to start now.”
CU released an article through CU Boulder Today discussing how the university addresses sexual assault and misconduct. Stating that “sexual assault is a very real problem at CU Boulder and at most college campuses across the country. It has devastating impacts on victims and survivors and our campus community as a whole.”
Lauren Daniels, a junior at CU who attended the protest, spoke about wanting more accountability from the university when it comes to sexual assault.
“They’re really just sweeping this under the run and rape is a very violent crime and if it where any other violent crime they would’ve held people accountable,” said Daniels. “Instead they’re hiding behind the fact that this frat isn’t part of the university and not acknowledging the fact that these are CU students and they should be held accountable for their actions.”
Izzy Holsman, a freshman at CU who was also in attendance, is a member of greek life and believes in the importance of recognizing the issues of these organizations.
“I am in a sorority, so I am part of greek life and I think that an important aspect is recognizing when there are issues in groups that you are involved with,” said Holsman. “If you are a participant in one of these things you need to recognize the faults and you need to make a change, and if you are not out here making a change then you are just part of the problem, which is an issue and I don’t want to contribute or be a part of, I want to be a part of the change.”
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CU noted in their article that they offer a confidential trauma center, The Office of Victim Assistance, on campus that includes short-term counseling, consultations and support to CU community members.
The Pi Kappa Alpha house declined the request to make a comment, but directed sources to a statement made by the Independent Interfraternity Council in Boulder known as IFC on The Hill.
“The IFC on The Hill is committed to the concept that Fraternities are values-based organizations whose members have responsibilities to be gentlemen. The IFC on The Hill understands the gravity of sexual assault and the impact on its survivors. We have working for months to implement sexual assault and harassment education with the help of women across the Hill.”
The IFC on The Hill and the Boulder Police Department urge anyone with information regarding these incidents to contact Dispatch at (303) 441-3333. Additionally, if you have been a victim of sexual assault and would like to make a report, please call the Boulder Police Department ‘s non-emergency number at (303) 443-7300.
This story will be updated as the situation develops and more information becomes available.
