Hundreds of Ohio University students on Thursday came out to protest and draw attention to the growing incidents of sexual assault on the campus.
Students organized an event “It’s on us, Bobcats,” holding placards and marching on the streets of Athens.
Ohio is grappling with 14 cases of rape reported since the start of the fall semester. In September, seven students have reported incidents of sexual assault. Over last weekend, a woman who was visiting the campus claimed that she was sexually assaulted in the Mill Street area.
After the march, students shared their stories on how sexual violence has impacted their lives.
“I don’t want to see my friends and anyone I know go through something like this.It’s nothing anybody should have to go through,” Cody Shanklin, one of the organizers, told the crowd.
“We always know that as females, going out that something could happen, but I definitely feel like everyone is more hypersensitive to that,” said Heather Lambert, an Ohio student.
“It’s just really important for all of us to come together and support each other.”
Students believe that the rally will bring everyone together to address the concern of growing incidents of sexual violence on campus.