It’s On Us campaign becomes more prevalent on campus

Posted on by The Quill

By Emma Pettingill

Staff Writer

It’s On Us is a national campaign started in 2014 that is working to end the culture around and the occurrence of sexual assault on college campuses, this campaign is also the driving inspiration for a new club at Susquehanna.

It’s On Us campus organizer and club president, senior Brianna Knowlton, is the main component to the campaign.

According to Knowlton, her primary job as president and organizer is to “ensure that the national campaign is being acted out on our campus.”

According to Knowlton, this group has gained a plethora of support from different on campus faulty and staff such as Public Safety and the Violence, Intervention and Prevention Center.

The campaign touches on a multitude of different topics, including but not limited to bystander intervention, consent, prevention as well as survivor and ally resources.

The week of Oct. 22 through Oct. 26 is known as the Week of Action.

During the Week of Action, It’s On Us will be doing displays and events to raise awareness, alongside sponsoring a sports game where students sign up and pledge to end sexual assault.

This group views these topics as part of their mission.

“After being abroad last semester and hearing about a lot of the issues that were coming out, I knew I wanted to take a more active role in preventing those things from happening again when I got back,” Knowlton said.

She continued about how passionate she is about this campaign and hopes to get others who may not want to acknowledge what goes on with sexual assault to take a stand against what is happening to both men and women alike.

Knowlton said she hopes that by getting people to see that fault lies on the perpetrator, not the victim, the campus can become a much safer place.

She also noted this as an important aspect of deepening the presence of It’s On Us at Susquehanna.
As part of the campaign, members of the club help to plan outreach as well as educational events and displays. They will also serve as the bridge between the student body, faculty and staff as to keep the administration informed about possible concerns that arise.
Additionally making sure that the administration is doing what they can to keep the students safe and that stories are heard.
“I wanted to be a part of the It’s on Us campaign because sexual assault on college campuses is more prominent than people believe,” said senior Jenna Wasarhelyi, vice president of the organization.
“I want to help shed light on the problem campuses face by being a resource for students,” Wasarhelyi said.
According to Wasarhelyi, joining this club can allow students to be part of something that will benefit the entire campus. Students are given an environment to share an experience with the organization, help teach others on campus how to define consent and how to get involved as a bystander.
The club contributes by being an ally to survivors and a safe space.
The It’s On Us website also provides information on the movement itself and allows people to log on and take the pledge to help end sexual assault.It also teaches how to recognize sexual assault, identify when situations may lead to sexual assault, how to intervene in those situations and how to create an environment in which those who have been assaulted feel supported and know that sexual assault is unacceptable.
According to the It’s On Us website, 11.2 percent of all students experience rape or sexual assault. The mission of the overall campaign is to bring that 11.2 percent down to 0.
All students are welcome to join the organization, attend meetings and participate in the campaign.