Vt. Sec of State speaks at NU about sexual assault

By Jared Hanna
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Vermont Secretary of State Deborah L. Markowitz was the guest speaker at a dinner dedicated to observing that April is prevention and awareness of sexual violence month.

Approximately 65 students and faculty attended the event held in Milano Ballroom on Monday evening, April 7.

Markowitz began her speech by congratulating Norwich for having a program dedicated to protecting the student body from violence.

"I would like to congratulate Norwich for having this program and for taking time and effort to really think about what is a hard issue," she said. "Sexual violence is a creepy thing for women and men."

Markowitz then related a personal experience, which happened during her college years. "When I was in college, if a girl was raped nothing would happen," Markowitz said. "I knew of a girl that was gang raped by seven guys at a frat party, and when she came forward, the school didn't do anything about it.

"The use of sexual violence is not a way to dominate, to prevent change, or to express your frustration as seeing a change that you didn't have a choice about," Markowitz said. "There were excuses made by the guys: 'she is saying rape now, but she really wanted it,'" Markowitz said. "We were living in a 'blame the victim' type culture."

Today's society is more aware of rape and sexual violence, Markowitz said. "Nowadays, that wouldn't happen at any college campus. A girl comes forward and says gang rape, there would be an uproar.

"Rape could only be against somebody that you weren't married to," Markowitz explained. "If you were a woman and subjected to violence at home, there was nothing that could be done, because it was the male's place."

She said such a time when society was blind to sexual violence is hopefully past. Rape is very much an unreported crime.

"Sexual violence is violence," Markowitz said. "It used to be that rape was [considered to be] about sex, but now rape is [known to be] sexual violence, and is treated more like assault and is very unacceptable."

Markowitz looked at the leadership skills Norwich students have and how they work with one another to accomplish one mission.

"As leaders our obligation is to talk to people when this comes up about sex and sexual violence," she said.

Markowitz explained that some drugs, such as GHP and Rohypnol, commonly called Ruffies and known as the "date rape drugs," contributes to the violence. "When you drug somebody to have sex, there is no consent, and sex without consent is absolutely unacceptable," Markowitz said, adding that both drugs have side affects, such as amnesia.

Markowitz challenged the audience to stand up for their peers and to focus on a mission to make everyone safe.

"If you know somebody that has been victimized, listen without judgment and support them," Markowitz said. "If they are not willing to speak out, then nothing will change."

Markowitz concluded her speech by explaining how the problem isn't sex, "It's violence, and not all violence is created equal."

Markowitz said there are several events planned throughout the state this month to make Vermonters aware of sexual assault.

"One of the interesting thoughts is thinking of 'victimhood' and one of the big changes that is happening is not blaming the victims," Markowitz said.

The state is working very hard to focus on the assistance available to victims.

"We want them to move on, so they can have a happy, healthy, and a productive life," she said, adding that there are various state programs for victims of assault.

The "Safe at Home Program," is a program which protects the victim if they are afraid of their attacker or abuser.

"An abuser can go to public records to find their victim, so we provide [victims] with a substitute address as their legal address and forward their mail to a confidential location," Markowitz said.

"I would like this to be an annual event and would like to tie it into more group activities on campus, so maybe there would be more ongoing events," said Karin Pelletier, Norwich equal opportunity coordinator.

Pelletier planned this year's event and hopes to organize another one next year. "I think it is important in our community to prevent sexual violence," she said.

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