On April 9, an unknown man sexually assaulted a female Georgetown student in Copley Hall. On April 16, another female Georgetown student was sexually assaulted at gunpoint on the 3300 block of Prospect St. NW. Coupled with the rash of robberies around campus over the past few months, a clear and troubling pattern has emerged: the University is not taking sexual assault seriously.
Despite the shocking number of sexual assaults at Georgetown this semester, the University administration has yet to comment on the crimes. Thus far, administrative officials have not publicly announced plans to address the numerous safety issues for students both on and off campus. (Department of Public Safety and University officials did not respond to requests for comment.) Until students, staff, and faculty hear directly from those responsible, we can only assume that nothing has changed.
The administration’s silence on the issue of student safety is particularly disappointing, since there are many feasible and concrete steps that can be taken to address the public safety problem. One of the biggest failures in current student safety policy is the way in which the SafeRides shuttle program is operated. Instead of allowing students to wait safely inside buildings, and calling students upon the vehicle’s arrival, the program requires students to wait outside—forcing them to spend 10-15 minutes in the very environment that causes them to feel unsafe.
SafeRides drivers often diverge from their estimated arrival times, typically arriving much later than anticipated. But possibly even more problematic are the occasions when drivers arrive early, before students step outside to wait. If the student is not present and waiting outside, the request is considered unnecessary. A student who then goes outside at the appointed time can wait indefinitely, because of this basic lack of coordination. A relatively minor tweak to the program, through improved communication, would make SafeRides vastly more effective and secure.
Ultimately, however, the University’s tepid response to the increase in serious crime places the responsibility for safety on Georgetown students themselves. While administrators can take proactive steps to create a safer campus environment, we must all do everything we can to protect ourselves. Remember to avoid walking alone after dark, and always lock doors and windows. If you must travel alone at night, call Saferides at 202-794-RIDE. Always stay in touch with friends and check in with them regularly. But above all, demand that the administration take the necessary steps to fix our inadequate public safety system.
