Word Count: 622

Wayne State’s Response to Rapes on Campus in 2017

By: Avery Zimmerman

Wayne State University

Com 2100, April 22, 2019

There were nine reported rapes on Wayne State University’s Main Campus in 2017,

according to the Wayne State 2018 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This is an increase

since 2016, in which two were reported.

This number is the on campus rapes that were reported by the victim. It is unknown how

many unreported rapes happened on campus last year.

“There is a reluctance to report rape,” said Dave Scott, lieutenant for the Wayne State

University Police.

“Many victims are afraid to report,” said Olivia Bucciarelli, former resident advisor in

Ghafari Residence Hall at Wayne. “There is a culture of victim blaming surrounding rape.

People ask ‘Well what were you wearing?’ or “How much did you have to drink?’ That’s

blaming the victim.”

This attitude of victim blaming was present within Wayne State University Police.

“Females are setting themselves up to be victimized,” said Scott. “7 out of the 9 reported rapes

on main campus last year had alcohol involved on either the part of the victim or the

perpetrator.”

Saying that females are setting themselves up to be a victim of rape because they choose

to drink alcohol is victim blaming. It is not the fault of the victim for drinking alcohol, it’s the

fault of the perpetrator for raping them.

 “If a friend experiences sexual violence, you can help by listening without judgement and

believe them, let them know it’s not their fault, and help connect them to resources,” said

Rainesha Williams-Fox, coordinator of Student Life Wellness at Wayne.

Wayne State offers a multitude of resources for victims of sexual violence, including the

residence advisors in each building.

“Resident advisors are trained on how to respond when a student comes up to us and

shares the situation that happened,” said Megan Kulusas, resident advisor at Towers Residence

Hall at Wayne.

“A resident I was close with told me about her experience halfway through the school

year. I was definitely surprised when it found out it happened on my floor. I think it’s something

that happens a lot but residents and even RAs don’t know it goes on,” said Kulusas.

In order to create an environment where victims are not afraid to speak out, we need to

join organizations and initiatives on campus that promote this idea, said Williams-Fox.

One of these organizations is the Title IX office at Wayne State, which aims to prevent

discrimination on the basis of sex. This includes sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual

assault, relationship or intimate partner violence, stalking and retaliation, according to their

website.

“As deputy coordinator of Title IX at Wayne State I assist the director with the education

of Title IX, rules, regulations and laws,” said David Strauss, Dean of Students and deputy

coordinator of Title IX at Wayne. “I receive calls with reports of sexual misconduct and

potentially assist with the investigation. There are different deputy coordinators around campus.”
 When investigating a form of sexual misconduct, the University “reserves the right to

impose different sanctions depending on the severity of the offense and/or history of the

offender,” according to the Title IX information sheet found on Wayne State’s website.

These sanctions could range from expulsion, to switching classes or dorm rooms, said

Strauss.

“To prevent sexual misconduct, we need continuous education in the form of workshops,

posters, lectures, programs and more.” said Strauss.

Wayne State has already initiated educating students, faculty and staff about reducing

rape on campus. Students were required to complete an interactive online program called Voices

for Change that provided information on how to prevent sexual violence and the reporting and

support options for victims.

“We need to people to learn that this is not okay or acceptable. If you see something, say

something,” said Strauss.

-- 30 –
Source List:

Wayne State Security Report 2018: https://police.wayne.edu/pdf/security-report-2018.pdf

Olivia Bucciarelli, 313-742-714: former resident advisor in Ghafari Hall at Wayne State.
Provided her comments in an interview on April 19.

David Strauss, davidstrauss@wayne.edu: Dean of Students and Deputy Coordinator of Title IX

at Wayne State. Provided comments in an interview on April 19.

Brandy Banks, titleix@wayne.edu: Title IX Director at Wayne State. Provided information about
Title IX in an email on April 19.

Rainesha Williams-Fox, rai@wayne.edu: Coordinator of Student Life Wellness. Provided

comments on April 19.

Megan Kulusas, 734-634-5735: Resident advisor in Towers Residential Suites. Provided

comments in an interview on April 15.

Title IX at WSU, https://titleix.wayne.edu/

Sexual Assault Policy at WSU, https://policies.wayne.edu/administrative/01-5-sexual-assault

Title IX information sheet, https://oeo.wayne.edu/images/title_ix_information_sheet_-_draft11-

12-18_.pdf.