The general population has come to associate Greek Life with a certain set of symbols and behaviors: wearing letters, frat parties, #ThrowWhatYouKnow Instagram posts and unfortunately–sexual assault.That association isn’t entirely unjustified. Multiple unbiased studies, including this one by researchers from Ohio University
, have found that rape occurs three times more often within Greek Life than outside of it. However, that doesn’t mean members aren’t armed and ready to end it. Instead of letting sexual assault remain a taboo subject in their communities, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Sigma Nu fraternity have teamed up to tackle the issue head-on, with education and open discussion.
Their goal was to create an educational program that would educate college students about non-stranger, including tackling misconceptions and addressing bystander intervention. Since the program’s conception, nine other sororities and fraternities have hopped on board.
The groups worked with the founder of Prevention Culture, Aaron Boe, while developing the program to ensure it is high quality and effective. The program was then successfully piloted with five ZTA chapters last spring.
The program allows each participating chapter to tailor their efforts to best fit their specific needs. It’s this flexibility that will ensure the program’s success in meeting the needs of both sororities and fraternities nationwide.
The following interfraternal organizations will roll out the program this fall:
This is not the first time ZTA has taken steps to stop sexual assault. The sorority started targeting the issue in the early 1990s. In 2008, the group implemented educational training for all new members on the risks of alcohol, hazing and sexual assault. The same year, they launched a program called “My Sister, My Responsibility,” which places a heavy emphasis on personal safety.
It is new programs such as these that will work toward freeing Greek Life from this unfortunate stigma. The fight against sexual assault is a complex one, but it’s a battle that these 11 sororities and fraternities are committed to fighting.
