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Publications and Research Baruch College

2015

Sexual assaults on campus need to be addressed

Aldemaro Romero Jr. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

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This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] Monday, December 21, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com Page 3 Regional Sexual assaults on campus need to be addressed

In the last few weeks two films have been campuses. (if not totally covering up) the problem. And some released that on the surface seem to be unrelated But, obviously, that has not been enough. Now of them have already taken a lot of heat for their in content, but are closely linked in their message. Dr. Aldemaro Romero Jr. states from Connecticut to California have come stances, such as the president of the University The first of those films is “Spotlight.” It tells the Letters from Academia up with tougher legislation aimed at colleges of Iowa, Sally Mason, who said in an interview true story of how a team of reporters for The Boston and universities to take more firm stances in pre- that sexual crimes were part of “human nature.” Globe worked to uncover a pattern of sexual abuse during the last few years at both prestigious Ivy venting, reporting and handling sexual assaults. Bryan Golden, the campus police chief at Abraham of children and its cover-up in Massachusetts by League institutions and smaller lesser-known ones. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), along with nine Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia, was fired the Catholic Church. This investigative reporting According to the American Association of other sponsors, has introduced the Campus after he was quoted as saying that most sexual earned the newspaper the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for University Women, one out of 10 colleges reported Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) bill aimed assaults are not rape, but “women waking up the public service. The movie is considered to be a very rapes on their campuses in 2014. Given that in the at reducing sexual violence in institutions of next morning with a guilt complex.” accurate representation and shows how these crim- U.S. there are about 5,000 institutions of higher higher education. This bill, introduced in 2014, We should not forget that early colleges were inal acts represented a systemic problem within the education, that means that at least one rape has is still pending in the U.S. Senate and House founded by churches and once public institutions church. The movie received wide acclaim not only occurred in at least 500 of them in a single year. of Representatives. In the meantime, the U.S. began to proliferate, they adopted the same cul- because of its artistic merits but also for the exposé Yet, most likely this is a conservative figure. As Department of Education has issued new guide- tural habits of the private ones: insularity, secrecy of the facts. anyone who is aware of the nature of crime statis- lines on how to handle sexual assaults on campus- in their handling of internal affairs, and the ten- The other film is “The Hunting Ground.” This tics, sexual assaults are among the least reported. es while the U.S. Department of Justice, acting on dency to overprotect their own. And that is where is a documentary that had a limited theatrical Many women feel uncomfortable reporting these recommendations from a White House task force, the connection between the sexual crimes at the release on February, but was broadcast by CNN kinds of crimes for a variety of reasons. In most is funding more research on this issue. Catholic Church in Massachusetts and the ones on on November 22. It deals with the issue of sexual of the cases the perpetrators are people they know Given the seriousness of the situation one won- campuses resides. assault on U.S. college and university campuses. because they are other students or coworkers. ders why so many colleges and universities have One of the most chilling moments of “Spotlight” This documentary included not only numerous Further, the U.S. Department of Education has lev- not taken a more proactive stance on this issue? is when at the end of the movie they show the on-camera interviews with victims of these crimes, ied fines to colleges and universities on numerous The answer is two-fold. First, very few academic long list of cities where sexual abuse by Catholic but also with scholars who have studied the issue occasions for underreporting these crimes, which leaders have had any training on how to handle priests has been reported. Unfortunately the list as well as former university administrators. supports the contention that these statistics must crises that affect the public image of their institu- of colleges and universities where sexual crimes “The Hunting Ground” also received wide artis- be very conservative inNot that we lack legisla- tions. As any expert in communications would tell occurred last year alone is even longer. Unless tic acclaim, but also its share of negative criticism tion addressing this issue. The Clery Act of 1990, them the position they need to take has to be very the culture of insularity and mismanagement is – particularly from the higher education institu- named after Jeanne Clery, a 19-year-old student proactive and open to show that they are really changed, higher education will be facing the same tions mentioned in the film, such as Harvard and at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, who was doing something that is really meaningful, not just bad image as the Catholic Church. Florida State University. Administrators of those raped and murdered in the campus residence hall to issue perfunctory statements aimed at protecting institutions claimed the movie to be inaccurate and in 1986, was specifically designed to make all the brand name of their institutions. Dr. Aldemaro Romero Jr. is a writer and college pro- taking sides with the victims. The release of this institutions of higher education that receive some The other is that these leaders think – errone- fessor with leadership experience in higher education. documentary has coincided with a rise of reports form of federal financial support (virtually all of ously – that the only means to protect their repu- He can be contacted through his website at: http://www. in the media of sexual assaults across campuses them) report crime statistics on their respective tation and that of their campuses is by softening aromerojr.net

Branch Manager Karen Lintz said. Allison's HOPE Foundation is an YMCA organization created to honor Allison Cassens, who lost her battle with Continued from Page 1 colon cancer in 2004 at the age of 33. She had written in her will that she Celuch explained that last year hoped people would use their talents Allison's HOPE not only provided to help those doing cancer research Build-A-Bear stuffed animals for to find a cure. After their daugh- the Allison Cassens Center but was ter's death, Linda and Allen Cassens also able to visit Shriner's Children's formed the organization. Best seat in Hospital and Cardinal Glennon in In 2014 the foundation celebrat- St. Louis to do the same thing for its ed reaching a monumental goal of the house children. having raised $1 million for can- Celuch noted that doing the Build- cer research over the past 10 years. Youngsters sit on the laps A-Bear event this year at the Allison The organization continues to host of Santa and Mrs. Claus Cassens Center had dual meaning. several fundraisers throughout the during the Dec. 12 open “Not only was the center recently year, including an annual gala and house at the Glen Carbon named after Allison Cassens, the cen- golf outing, to raise funds for cancer Heritage Museum. Photo for ter's arts program is provided through research. the Intelligencer. a donation in the name of Debbie, Yet this holiday season, Allison’s Allison’s sister,” Celuch. “Debbie and HOPE will be sponsoring a 7 p.m. Allison were both amazing people presentation on Dec. 22 of the movie who had a passion for the arts and "Elf" at the Wildey Theatre. The show- education for children.” ing will cost just $2 per person and “We are just so appreciative that we tickets can be purchased one hour are able to receive this for our kids at before the show at the Wildey box our center,” Edwardsville Esic YMCA office.

estimate was $98,596.80. “They will be cleaning and lin- CITY ing various manholes in the city,” Alderman Jeanette Mallon said. Continued from Page 1 “This was also done for North Main Man's heroin battle ends with sorrow Street.” Residents will get a notice from The manholes are on Ridgeview QUINCY (AP) — Anita Martinez knew her between the ages of 18 and 25 had doubled 2012 theft case. Good Energy within 30 days of ter- Road, Timberlake Drive, Blackburn son's battle with drug addiction wasn't over, but during that time span. In and out of jails and prisons during that time, mination noting what the rate will Road, Circle Drive, Franklin Avenue, for the first time in a long time there were signs Local officials believe the spike in overdoses Martinez found himself homeless by the time the be. They will have the option to opt- Grand Avenue, Fairway Drive and that her little boy might be winning the battle. can be traced to a more-potent batch of the drug roller coaster was finished. The ride was just as out from that notice. Eagle Court. Joseph Martinez's life was on track. Homeless that was circulating at the time of the deaths. hard on his family. Regardless of the bid outcome, “These are all manholes that have less than two years ago, Martinez had a place to During a community forum on the heroin prob- "I chased him, and he chased the dragon," Ameren will still be billing custom- force mains that dump into them. call his own, living in an apartment building near lem held earlier this month, Patrick Frazier, Anita Martinez said. "I used all the resources that ers for power because it is still the This exposes concrete manholes Quincy's downtown. He had a steady job as a leader of the Quincy-based West Central Illinois I could to try to save my son. I had gotten to the distributor. to sewer gasses,” Assistant City waiter. He was right with his religion after being Task Force, said that the heroin was cut with a point where I had nothing. I was living with my Southwest Electric customers will Engineer Ryan Zwijack said. baptized on Easter weekend. synthetic painkiller called fentanyl. mom. She said he couldn't come here and live not be affected. By applying liner and material to Martinez had reconnected with family, going In March, the Drug Enforcement Administration when he got out of prison. He had to go to a In other business, the coun- fix the manhole, the city is saving on a vacation to Arkansas with his entire family issued a nationwide alert about heroin being homeless shelter." cil members approved to award approximately $50,000. The other in June. He was a proud father of a 6-year-old laced with fentanyl. The DEA said the drug was Joseph Martinez wasn't homeless for long. He the 2016 Sanitary Sewer Manhole method was to dig up each manhole. boy and got to spend that sixth birthday with him a "significant threat to public health and safety." found a home with the Fishers of Men group in Rehabilitation Project to Spectra Alderman Tom Butts was not pres- earlier this year. More than 1,000 people in major metropoli- Quincy, living with the nondenominational out- Tech, LLC for $58,116. The engineer’s ent at the meeting. Without warning, a scene that Anita Martinez tan areas of Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia reach program for the better part of a year. knew could happen played out on July 12. Joseph died from fentanyl-laced heroin between 2005 "It's a great program for the Quincy area," failed to show up for work that day. Anita's calls and 2007. This summer, Chicago and Cleveland Anita Martinez said of the Fishers of Men. were going right to voice mail, which was never reported major outbreaks of heroin overdoses. Joseph Martinez was able to get his life back on a good sign. In early October, Chicago hospitals reported track while living with the group. He was clean "The only time it did that in the past he was in treating 75 people for heroin overdoses during a from heroin, was working and had set a goal of jail or hiding out," Anita Martinez said. 72-hour period. going back to school to become a preacher. She made a frantic 30-minute drive from her "I've never experienced anything like what we Over Easter weekend this year, Martinez was residence in Barry to try to find her son. When went through this summer," Frazier said. baptized at The Crossing. she arrived at his apartment, she found her son Joseph Martinez grew up in Jacksonville, grad- At the end of June, Martinez figured it was dead in his apartment. Joseph Martinez, just 28 uating from Jacksonville High School in 2006. time to spread his wings and venture out on his years old, had died of a heroin overdose. His He loved to play soccer as a young boy and was own. That's when he moved into an apartment years long battle against drugs was over, ending skillful at the game. However, any hopes of using near downtown Quincy. in the worst possible way for his family. that skill to possibly further his education were "His goals were to get a nice place with his own "He couldn't break away from it," Anita derailed early in his high school days after he was furniture," Martinez's aunt Marcia Ryan said. "He Martinez said. found to be drinking alcohol, a move that cost was very proud of having his own place." Martinez was one of three people in Quincy him a spot on his high school team. The weekend of July 11-12 was going to be a who died of a confirmed heroin overdose Martinez graduated and began his college busy one for Joseph Martinez. He was scheduled during the month of July. Paul Davis, chief of education at nearby Lincoln Land Community to work both days as a waiter at Village Inn. The Adams County EMS, said his department usu- College in Springfield. Anita Martinez believes plan was for him to bring one of the restaurant's ally responds to three or four overdose calls per his drug abuse started in his late teens. signature pies with him when he went to Barry month. "I don't know how it started," Anita Martinez on Sunday night for a family dinner. This summer, the number of overdose calls said. "I was the kind of mom who stayed home Martinez didn't show up for work that day. His were off the charts. Davis said the department with the kids. The next thing I know I'm in the mother began calling him in the early afternoon. saw an uptick in June before EMS responded nightmare of my son being addicted to drugs." When he didn't answer, she knew something was to 30 confirmed heroin overdoses over the next Predictably, Joseph Martinez ran into trouble wrong. two months, including a high of 19 during July. with the law while living in Morgan County. He "We saw him on Friday night and he said he The uptick in deaths in Adams County followed was sentenced to 30 months probation in a felony was struggling," Anita Martinez said. "He said he a national trend. In July, the Centers for Disease forgery case in 2007. That probation was revoked was going to go talk to his counselor on Monday Control and Prevention announced that deaths and he was sent to prison for two years after he to get back on track." from heroin-related overdoses nearly quadru- was convicted of a felony drug possession charge Joseph Martinez never made that appointment. pled between 2002 and 2013. The report showed in 2010. He was given conditional discharge in Instead, Anita Martinez found her son dead in his that use of the drug among women and people felony cases in a 2011 drug possession case and a apartment that Sunday afternoon.

left in a bathtub for hours; locked mm handgun and shot him in high school and then as a SENTENCE inside a closet; and beaten. seven times. senior business student at the “Mr. Swope had a terrible Swope waited for about 20 min- University of Missouri. childhood,” Berkley said. “He utes until Mosby died, then placed Schroeder said it was obvious Continued from Page 1 was neglected and abused in a the body in the trunk and drove to Mosby was going places with horrible way.” Second and Bissell streets. his life and had a bright future “I was 3 years old, left in a The Major Case Squad was acti- ahead. Swope, he acknowledged, For the Intelligencer Swope believed his life was room by myself, with no food in being threatened, and he over-re- vated and assisted the Madison had a wretched childhood. Still, the house. I was left by myself,” acted in a stressful situation, Police Department in the investi- Schroeder noted that Swope had Christmas cheer he said. Berkley said. gation. not really taken responsibility for Santa visited children at St. John Neumann Catholic School Madison County Assistant Mosby, who lived in Collinsville, Swope has remained at the what happened. Public Defender Tim Berkely was driving the car on the morn- Madison County Jail until his “You stated that you are not a on Saturday and listened to their wishlists. All of them made reminded Schroeder that young the nice list. Christmas music played as kids made bags of ing he was murdered. sentencing . criminal,” he said. “Mr. Swope, people such as Swope, who was The two got into an argument At the hearing, Madison County you are a criminal. You also reindeer food, read stories, played games, made crafts, and 21 at the time, “sometimes make near the intersection of 10th State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons called Mr. Mosby your friend. enjoyed a hot coco bar with all the extras. Special thanks to terrible mistakes.” and State streets in Madison. read a letter from Mosby’s moth- The court cannot even fathom Mrs. Heidemann, Student Council, and all of the families that As a boy, he said, Swope had Police say Swope was intending er. Jarrett was an awesome son. sitting in a car with someone you came. been placed in the basement for to buy marijuana from Mosby An awesome brother. An awe- call a friend before you take his extended periods, without lights;, before Swope pulled out a 9 some student, getting straight As life.”