Zidaan Kapoor is a sophomore studying International Relations. His interests include social justice, food allergy advocacy and singing.
Stanford needs to do more.
Over the past few days, more disturbing details have emerged about the unconscionable gang rape case at Cornell University. On the night of Oct. 19th, 2024, a former Cornell student alleges that seven Chi Phi fraternity members drugged and raped her while she was incapacitated. Her rape was announced to a group chat of 57 men who were part of the fraternity.
Some cheered it on, and no one spoke out against it.
Over the next few days, some of these individuals lied to Jane Doe (kept anonymous for her safety), pretending to be unsure of what happened or denying anything ever did. On Oct. 6th, Jane Doe’s lawyer alleged that a man called Jane Doe and threatened to shoot up her house, her mother, her father and her. He claims she deals with these threats regularly.
Cornell’s rape case made the news, but it raises questions about the true frequency of these incidents. The statistics are alarming. One in five women have experienced either completed or attempted rape in their lifetime. But only about 20% of rapes are reported to national or local law enforcement. Most relevantly, one in every three rape victims are college-aged women.
Stanford University is not unaware of events like these. In 2015, Chanel Miller was sexually assaulted by a Stanford freshman. Today, California law would designate what happened to Miller as rape. It’s been 11 years, and these horrific crimes are still happening to women.
The college campus environment is one that tests the boundaries of newfound freedom. No longer living with the limits their parents set, students are sometimes faced with temptations to drink, have sex and take drugs. As a result, a college campus can sometimes be an unfortunate breeding ground where lapses in judgment, uninformed decision-making, and even violent crime can take place. But on the other hand, a college experience is all about learning and growing to confidently succeed as an adult. In both of these circumstances, it is paramount that a university place student safety first.
What more can universities do to protect their students from sexual assault?
Stanford should institute mandatory one-unit classes on sexual violence for all freshmen, discussing how to identify signs of harassment, what to do if you witness sexual assault and how to promote a culture of sexual safety. This class should explore the dismantling of harmful gender norms, identifying signs of sexual harassment and gender discrimination, and how men and women on campus can stand up for their peers who may be experiencing harassment. Stanford should expand its “duty to act” policy beyond overdoses or alcohol poisoning and require all students to report or assist someone they believe to be exposed to sexual violence.
Stanford should make SHARE’s (Stanford’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Education organization) “Upstander” training a requirement for all RAs and RFs, providing hundreds more students and community members with the resources and ability to step in to stop sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination.
The University was founded on the premise of “promoting the public welfare by exercising an influence,” and it should be a central cultural leader fighting against the norms that lead to horrific moments like the ones at Cornell. The fact that universities are still facing these crimes is evidence that no matter how many beneficial peer counseling resources have been offered or powerful statements of condemnation have been written, we have not yet done enough.
Stanford, don’t wait for the status quo to change. Set an example.