Depending on the reader, those two words, “rape culture,” elicit either an appeal to one’s sense of duty in fighting rape culture or an apathetic eye-roll and the notion that “rape culture” is a severely overblown idea perpetuated by the media.

The latter response is the problem.

It is the belief of The Prairie that while West Texas A&M University is great about educating on and combating the effects of rape culture, it is ultimately the students who must do more to ensure the safety of their fellow students.

In 2015, the Association of American Universities conducted one of the largest-ever studies on sexual assault, with more than 150,000 students at 27 schools participating. What they discovered was shocking.

Overall, more than 23% of women enrolled at universities experienced unwanted sexual contact, either through physical force or because they were otherwise incapacitated.

That means that nearly one quarter of all female students have been sexually attacked.

According to the AAU, only 25% of those who were sexually assaulted reported it. The most common excuse for not reporting? It was because the woman felt embarrassed, ashamed, and that it was their fault.

That is rape culture. When a student is attacked, it is never their fault, and until we as a university take an active stance, nothing will get better and more students will get hurt.

We here at WT are blessed to live in what is considered one of the safest college towns in the U.S., according to a SafeWise report earlier this month; however, that does not mean we are able to ignore an obvious problem all across the country.

It is time for us, the students, to take a stand and fight against college rape culture. That means educating our friends and family, and standing up for those who have been hurt.

Rape is never the victim’s fault.

Rape is never okay, even if they were drunk. Even if they were wearing provocative clothes. Even if they had said “yes” earlier.

Together, we can help end rape culture and make West Texas A&M University a pillar of safety that all other colleges can look up to.