Students Meet To Discuss Rape Prevention

About 30 concerned students gathered last night in an emergency ad hoc committee to discuss rape prevention on campus in the wake of the arrest of Joshua M. Elster `00 Saturday on the charges of rape and assault of a Harvard student.

The group, which included representatives from peer counseling groups such as Response and Room 13, discussed the establishment of an activist group to pursue action while public interest in the topic is high.

In the short term, the group discussed placing posters on campus with national statistics to enhance community awareness of date rape.

In addition, members of the group plan to write and publicize a general statement concerning resources available on campus for rape education and suggestions for heightening awareness.

"We need to be visible and very, very public," said Radcliffe Union of Students President Mia Bagneris `99 during the meeting.

The emergency committee expressed concern that there is currently no mandatory date rape education for all students.

Several present at the meeting noted that a concerted effort has been made to institute mandatory date rape sessions for first-years, an effort which has failed.

The group pledged to redouble efforts to create such mandatory meetings.

"We have to say we're sick and tired of waiting for [the administration] to do something about [mandatory meet- ings]," said Elisabeth Marks '98-'99.

Many first-year proctors organize a study breakin which they bring in members of the PeerRelations Date Rape Education organization todiscuss the issue.

The program does not reach all first-years,however, as proctors are not required to requestthe group and students do not have to attend studybreaks with the group if it is requested.

"Clearly there are holes in what freshmen hear,and it's not present enough in upper classhouses," said Julie A. Karp '98 during themeeting.

The group proposed appointing a studentrepresentative to organize date rape counselingfor each house.

Members of the committee also expressed concernthat statistics concerning incidents of rape atHarvard are not readily available to the public.

"I think the statistics are relevantinformation for the community, for both men andwomen," Tally Zingher '99 said.

Members of the committee said that they wantedto ensure that students realize that rape happenson the Harvard campus.

"We need to address the fact that this is animportant issue and this is a community issue,"said Cari E. Sietstra '98. "It's not somethingthat happens just once a year."

The group proposed organizing a confidentialsurvey to compile statistics relating to date rapeat Harvard.

"I believe that at least one rape happens hereevery weekend, said Manisha Bharti '98.

Other ideas discussed by the group includedbringing more outside speakers to campus todiscuss date rape and making phone numbers ofcounseling services on campus more accessible.

The committee also proposed increasingeducational opportunities for men on campus.

"Educating men is sometimes overlooked. A lotof [rape] prevention could come from educatingmen," Karp said.

The committee planned to meet again tomorrowand set up an e-mail communication list to ensureimmediate action on the issue.

"It's a really hot topic now," Bharti said."This is the time to pounce on it.

Many first-year proctors organize a study breakin which they bring in members of the PeerRelations Date Rape Education organization todiscuss the issue.

The program does not reach all first-years,however, as proctors are not required to requestthe group and students do not have to attend studybreaks with the group if it is requested.

"Clearly there are holes in what freshmen hear,and it's not present enough in upper classhouses," said Julie A. Karp '98 during themeeting.

The group proposed appointing a studentrepresentative to organize date rape counselingfor each house.

Members of the committee also expressed concernthat statistics concerning incidents of rape atHarvard are not readily available to the public.

"I think the statistics are relevantinformation for the community, for both men andwomen," Tally Zingher '99 said.

Members of the committee said that they wantedto ensure that students realize that rape happenson the Harvard campus.

"We need to address the fact that this is animportant issue and this is a community issue,"said Cari E. Sietstra '98. "It's not somethingthat happens just once a year."

The group proposed organizing a confidentialsurvey to compile statistics relating to date rapeat Harvard.

"I believe that at least one rape happens hereevery weekend, said Manisha Bharti '98.

Other ideas discussed by the group includedbringing more outside speakers to campus todiscuss date rape and making phone numbers ofcounseling services on campus more accessible.

The committee also proposed increasingeducational opportunities for men on campus.

"Educating men is sometimes overlooked. A lotof [rape] prevention could come from educatingmen," Karp said.

The committee planned to meet again tomorrowand set up an e-mail communication list to ensureimmediate action on the issue.

"It's a really hot topic now," Bharti said."This is the time to pounce on it.