Consent Times 10: #MeToo Identities Project

Within the last year, a new program series called the Identities Project has emerged at Viterbo.

Created to encourage students to become more inclusive and accepting, the events include a group of panelists giving their opinions on questions centered on a pressing issue. The environment gives the audience a comfortable environment to discuss said issues.

On November 13, the most recent installment of the Identities Project focused on a very serious subject, rape culture in the United States and the #MeToo movement that has begun on social media. 

The event featured six panelists: Richard Trietley (a Title 9 Investigator and Vice President of Student Affairs at Viterbo), Marlene Fisher (head of Women’s Studies and sociology professor at Viterbo), Maria Dulkey (a registered nurse trained in abuse cases), Cale Rausch (a Music Theatre major currently working on a show centered on abuse on campuses), Emma Piper (a rape advocate mentor), and Tom Burkedal (a leader in the Boys for Men group).

The extensive experience of each of the panelists paid off as they tackled difficult issues, such as how rape culture has grown over the years and how they react to people who say the #MeToo movement is unnecessary.

All panelists agreed that the movement, in contrast, had a long way to go.

Tom Burkedal shared, “I think... it empowers women to step forward when they see other women step forward.”

Overall, the panelists were supportive of sexual assault victims, encouraging them to speak out about it in some way, whether it be to a specialist on their campus, or to a nurse.

The cases are treated with incredible urgency, and at hospitals treat rape as a medical emergency.

The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that two thirds of sexual assaults are never reported to law enforcement.

Trietley responded, “Survivors have a difficult time emotionally, and sharing is hard,” as the group continued to explain that many keep it to themselves due to self-blame or fear from backlash from blaming someone else.

The panelists insisted that there was always a comfortable way to talk about the experience, and Dr. Fisher shared how important it is to, “Believe and support others,” in these difficult times. 

The conversation ended as they always do, relating the discussion to Viterbo’s Franciscan values. 

Trietley made a point to share that, “You can’t have a community with disrespect,” and that in Viterbo’s pursuit of creating a loving community centered on Franciscan values, we must all respect each other’s personal space and, most importantly, right to say “no.”