Students at Delaware State University gathered on Wednesday to voice their fury over the prevalence of sexual assault on campus. Over 200 students called for action from the university administration and the campus police.

 

The protest, held in front of the public safety building, filled the campus street. Campus police allegedly used excessive force, responded slowly to student calls and ignored their complaints. Furthermore, many sexual assaults, according to students, have not been reported for fear of being disregarded.

 

The Delaware State University Police Department issued an alert email on Jan. 13 reporting a sexual assault that occurred at 5 a.m. on campus and involved a student living in Tubman Laws Hall. There was a complete blackout informing the student body of any additional details.

On Monday, President Tony Allen sent an email in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day instead of addressing the recent sexual assault.

 

The student body at DSU was so appalled by the deafening silence that they held a peaceful but fervent protest against the sexual assault cases, The Hornet Online reports. Protesters carried handmade signs and recounted their stories as they marched from the Delaware State University Police Department to the administration building.

 

“I live in the Yard’s apartments, and they see more of an issue with having a particular pet than if someone is being assaulted in those same off-campus dorms. We, as students, don’t find out until the next day. They just send out a text message, and that’s all we get; we get no other information, and it’s scary,” DSU student Delyah Fleury shared.

Faculty and staff members were in attendance, as well as students. Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications Dawn Mosley praised the students’ ability to band together for a common goal, demonstrating solidarity’s strength, and added that it shows students have the freedom to speak and advocate for change.

 

More students found their voices as the afternoon went on, and they moved to the administration building. They came together to show their disdain, terror and outrage. The protest against sexual assault at Delaware State University has sparked a movement among students, and they will soon receive answers to their concerns. A secondary organization meeting is scheduled for Thursday at noon, and President Tony Allen is expected to attend.

 

A DSU student recently spoke with HBCU Buzz to discuss recent events at the school. She asserts that many men on campus harass and aggressively approach women and that there are known rapists among the campus DJs, fraternity members and student leaders.

In her words, the Delaware State Police Department “has been overheard laughing at some and victim blaming others” in a number of cases.

 

 

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Parents and students at DSU are using social media to voice their worries and let off steam.

 

 

 

Seven reported rape incidents occurred between August and Jan. 17, the day before the protest, according to the university’s public crime log, HBCU Buzz reports. Each case currently has a pending status.

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