On Oct. 1, three students plan to hold a demonstration on Loyola’s quad to “demand accountability for those who have failed to ensure our security” against sexual violence on campus.
Originally planned for Sept. 22, Annie Bulik ‘22, Sheena Huvane ‘22, and Maddie Chelak ‘23 began organizing the demonstration upon new allegations of sexual violence surfacing on Instagram via the Do Better Campaign, a nationally recognized movement whose mission is to “eradicate gender-based violence on college campuses and support survivors in their healing.” Of the eight Instagram posts published by the Do Better Campaign this month, five are linked to Loyola. One post in particular, alleging the assault of a Loyola student by a campus police officer, has received over 100 comments, many of which tag Loyola and The Baltimore Sun, or demand action from the university. Since June 2020, over 65 allegations of sexual violence on Loyola’s campus have been posted on Instagram by the Do Better Campaign.
Friday’s demonstration will begin at 3pm and focus primarily on peer education and solidarity, according to Bulik. The organizers will directly address the administration through a list of demands for the university, including:
- Equipping all campus police officers with body-worn cameras;
- Requiring the Women’s Center and Title IX department to record all proven and alleged cases;
- Reporting how many sexual violence perpetrators have been suspended or expelled; and
- Mandating sexual violence, consent, and prevention education programs that are to be reviewed yearly by anti-sexual violence and other anti-violence/oppression activist groups on campus, the student body at-large, and an external, impartial, nonprofit body dedicated to sexual violence prevention.
Bulik, Huvane, and Chelak are hoping to reach administrators and other prominent leaders on campus, as well as Loyola’s community at large.
“It’s been demonstrated to us that Loyola isn’t interested in actual change unless it affects them directly or financially,” Chelak said. “We want to enlighten prospective students about what they’re getting into, since Loyola advertises safety but doesn’t provide it once tuition is paid.”
Participants will be required to wear masks during the demonstration. Additionally, the organizers are asking those in attendance to ensure they are contributing in a respectful way.
“This topic is incredibly difficult and painful for many of us, and we want to foster a safe and welcoming environment for everyone involved,” Bulik said.
Ahead of the demonstration, the organizers have published a letter regarding Title IX accountability, addressed to the Loyola administration. Supporters may sign this statement via a petition, linked here.
Loyola community members may sign up for this demonstration via The Bridge app, and any inquiries about speaking opportunities can be directed to Maddie Chelak at [email protected].
Featured Image Courtesy of Annie Bulik ‘22
