April 18, 2018

It’s On Us Mizzou has propelled the conversation about sexual assault on MU’s campus and across the state by proposing changes in the Missouri legislature.

Starting conversations about sexual assault was not as easy a few years ago. It’s On Us, the national movement to end sexual assault, launched in 2014 to raise awareness of sexual assault and its prevalence on college campuses.

It’s On Us started nationally through the White House under former President Barack Obama’s administration. The national movement campaigns for the importance of engaging everyone in the conversation to end sexual assault. From students and parents to community leaders and organizations, It’s On Us asks everyone to step up and realize that the conversation starts with us.

“I think that two years ago this conversation was a lot more difficult to have,” said Tori Schafer, MU senior and It’s On Us Mizzou regional adviser.

Schafer began to look into how the relationship between student government and advocacy roles affects sexual assault during her time involved in the Missouri Students Association. Schafer joined It’s On Us at the national level under the student advisory committee.

Using her role in MSA, Schafer sought to bring It’s On Us to MU’s campus. She gained support and funding from campus organizations such as the Office for Civil Rights & Title IX, the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center, MU Honors College and Mizzou Athletics. It’s On Us Mizzou became an affiliate chapter of the national campaign in fall 2015.

Neeti Butala, MU senior and It’s On Us Mizzou communications coordinator, said It’s On Us is an important initiative to hold everyone accountable to intervene in bystander situations.

“It’s On Us is really a call to action to take it upon ourselves to end sexual assault on our own campus,” Butala said.

It’s On Us Mizzou has gained a presence on campus and an abundance of members since 2015.

“It’s On Us Mizzou is the largest It’s On Us program,” Schafer said. “We have about 120 active members currently whereas on most campuses you will see around five or six active members. We are really proud to have such a large group of people, and that is what helps us put on such big events.”

The It’s On Us Week of Action takes place once a semester to take action against sexual assault. From a social media campaign and tabling in the MU Student Center to professional panels, the spring It’s On Us Week of Action took place April 2-6. The teal-themed baseball game has been rescheduled to April 24.

“Week of Action is really just everyone coming together because we do have so many partners who support us,” Schafer said.

Schafer strives to get students involved, whether by joining the organization or partaking in the events.

“I want everyone to feel that they can be involved with It’s On Us,” Schafer said. “It’s so simple to change your profile picture in support or take the pledge that you promise to uphold the values of It’s On Us.”

According to the It’s On Us website, almost 300,000 people have taken the It’s On Us pledge against sexual violence in the last two years. The It’s On Us Week of Action featured a table in the MU Student Center where students could sign their names to take the pledge.

In furthering action and awareness on college campuses, Schafer is also fighting for change on the legal level. Schafer, along with the Associated Students of the University of Missouri, has proposed a bill to expand Missouri’s sexual education curriculum to require consent, sexual harassment and sexual violence education.

“I think that Missouri really lacks in sex education and sex health, and I think that’s pretty obvious in the current requirements in the policy now standing,” Schafer said. “The bill actually started as a fellowship project for me two years ago when I was applying for a national scholarship and had to come up with a policy proposal, and this is a change I want to see.”

The proposed amendments to the current policy add a ninth regulation, stating students should be taught about consent, sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Currently, the bill awaits to be put on the calendar to be voted on in the Missouri House of Representatives.

“It has gained so much bipartisan support, which is incredible, and it is a simple fix,” Schafer said. “Now we are in the waiting phase.”

Schafer said the fix to require sexual consent education in Missouri middle and high schools will help prevent sexual assaults when students reach a college campus. Starting the conversation is crucial to awareness and prevention.

“I think we bring awareness to this issue by really putting ownership over the issue,” Schafer said. “It’s in our title that it really is on each of us, and it doesn’t matter whether you are a social worker or a law student or whatever your background may be. You do not have to be studying this topic to start this conversation.”

_Edited by Brooke Collier | bcollier@themaneater.com_

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