Every year, roughly 293,000 people in the United States experience sexual assault. Lately, there has been an increase in awareness as students and lawmakers work together to reduce sexual assault on college campuses. However, there’s still so much we can do as individuals and as a school to further decrease the number of people who experience sexual violence.
Recently, the musician and entertainer Lady Gaga spoke out about her sexual assault. Not long afterward, Vice President Joe Biden stepped up and praised her for encouraging other women to share their experiences, too.
By speaking out, Lady Gaga has not only raised awareness about the unfortunate prevalence of sexual assault in our society but also inspired others to do the same. Hopefully, this will help people begin the healing process.
Thinking about Lady Gaga’s role as a musician also leads me to wonder what kind of a role art could play in publicizing narratives of sexual violence. After all, studies show art can help people work through difficult emotions.
A friend of mine — herself a victim of sexual assault — has begun work on an art project that strives to bring college women together by allowing them to collectively embrace their vulnerabilities and overcome them.
Similarly, other famous art initiatives, such as Project Unbreakable, use creative expression to heal those affected by sexual assault or other traumatic events. These projects aid individuals in the healing process and work to raise awareness about sexual violence.
By supporting the freedom of expression that art allows, students can help put an end to sexual assault and make our campus safe for everybody.
Maddie Eaton welcomes comments at [email protected].
