District Attorney's Social Media Campaign Unveiled at Conference

                 After months of anticipation, representatives from the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office unveiled three new public service announcements aimed at preventing sexual assaults on college campuses at a conference held at Hampshire College’s Franklin Patterson Hall on Friday Afternoon.

     The conference, which drew more than 50 students, faculty, community, and law enforcement members, was the opportunity to educate others on the importance of consent in sexual encounters, as well as to teach people when it is necessary to step in if they see a problem.

            One of the goals, said Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, is to end all sexual assaults on college campuses by 2020.

            According to Sullivan, 75 percent of sexual assaults nationwide are drinking and drug affiliated, one reason why he says it's important to educate college campuses about this new campaign, whose slogan is “Consent is the difference between sex and rape.” He also said that students are a big part of this campaign, saying “the people who will change the atmosphere are students.”

Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan

            The three public service announcements, which have been filmed and edited over the last few months, feature three different situations in which college students might find themselves in. One for example, titled “Bystander,” encourages students to take action if they see a potential problem.

            For UMass Dean of Students Enku Gelaye, the new campaign does more than just encourage students to step in if they see a problem. On the introduction of this campaign to end sexual assaults, she said, “it’s giving people the ability to trust their instincts.” She added that if a situation doesn’t seem right, students should take action.

            Citing the accounts of an Amherst College student who was sexually assaulted, and the way her situation was handled by administrators, Sullivan said that this is the beginning of a process for campuses and communities. He said, “It will only occur when the entire community wants it to occur,” a statement that it will take an effort by everyone to change the culture of sexual assaults.

            After a buffet provided by the Hampshire College Police Department, conference attendees broke up into small groups to discuss how best to promote the campaign and to take action so that Sullivan’s goal of zero sexual assaults by 2020 can be met.    

             

Check Out the Public Service Announcements Here: