Prevalent Sexual Violence In Universities: Why Sexual Harassment Is A 'Culture Problem'

Sexual harassment happens in many universities around the country, although many aren't aware of it. Many victims of sexual violence in universities were perpetrated by faculty members themselves. For this reason, Alison Galloway -- University of California, Santa Cruz provost and executive vice chancellor -- claimed that sexual violence in universities is a "culture problem."

"Sexual harassment isn't just a compliance problem; it is a culture problem," Galloway wrote in her blog post on Medium. "And beyond procedures and codes of conduct, we must hold ourselves -- and each other -- accountable for creating a culture of transformative service."

Galloway noted that sexual violence in universities caused by faculty members is severely destructive. She wrote that faculty members have a special duty to serve as mentors and role models for their students.

Faculty members are also supposed to inspire and motivate students as well as honor their colleagues. Perpetrating sexual harassment is a terrible betrayal and violation of the Hippocratic Oath that the faculty members took.

Fortunately, Galloway also noted that the University of California is trying hard to improve the rules and policies on sexual violence and sexual harassment. However, she also wrote that faculty members are responsible not only for complying with the policies but also in promoting service and caring for their students. "That is more than the absence of bad conduct; it is the presence of active and genuine service," she added.

The claim that sexual harassment and sexual violence in universities are common is backed up by statistics. According to a recent survey reported by CNN, 23 percent of female college students have experienced some form of sexual harassment.

Examples of sexual violence in universities include forced or unwanted kissing, touching, oral sex and sexual intercourse. "I think one takeaway is that this problem is a broad problem within society as well as on campus, so I think it's something all of us have to be concerned about," Association of American Universities President Hunter Rawlings stated via CNN.