Students voicing #MeToo

It wasn’t too long ago that Alexa Withrow was a new Torero on University of San Diego’s campus. She entered La Paloma looking for a quick bite to eat in between her busy class schedule and a nice table to get some work done.

The new Torero glanced around as she took in what would be her new home for the next couple of years, and stumbled upon something that would change her time at USD. A sticker on a girl’s laptop saying “Mind your own uterus” caught her eye. She decided to strike up a conversation with the sticker owner, Jessica Dockstader, which later developed into a meaningful friendship with many conversations.

It was through these conversations they both realized that sexual assault and harassment aren’t just outside issues, but that the #MeToo movement was present on USD’s campus as well. Women of all ages face the issue of sexual assault and harassment, but it has become especially prominent on college campuses. Together, Withrow and Dockstader worked with the USD Women’s Center to put on a series for the #MeTooUSD movement, which was created from a desire to implement safe places for women to speak more about their experiences and learn more about it.

Junior and cofounder of #MeTooUSD, Withrow first heard of the #MeToo movement when it was recognized by Hollywood figures.

“The #MeToo movement for me became recognition and acknowledgment that I was not alone,” Withrow said. “I watched as my social media feed and news stories came out stating that victims of sexual violence were speaking out using #MeToo. At this time, I was just beginning to pursue healing my own trauma surrounding sexual assault and harassment. It made me feel supported and acknowledged in my own journey.”

Although the #MeToo movement gained recognition in 2017, after the sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein went public, the origins of the movement often get lost in translation. Civil rights activist Tarana Burke first began using the phrase “Me Too” in 2006 in order to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse and assault in society.

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, Burke said she was scared when the #MeToo movement caught wind on social media; her baby became a national movement overnight. She called it a disaster and didn’t consider social media to be a safe place to talk about trauma.

Withrow was able to relate to this as she decided to start sharing her story through her personal blog.

“I have experienced firsthand the painful backlash that comes with publishing #MeToo on the internet, subjecting my story to anyone’s opinion of it,” Withrow said. “When I asked a student at our #MeToo: Your Voice Has Power event if the risks of backlash in sharing our stories in support of the movement was worth the cause, she said, ‘There are brave spaces and safe spaces.’ That really resonated with me.”

However, it was when Hollywood put the movement on the map that the world really started to listen. Withrow commented on how Hollywood’s involvement with the #MeToo had a positive influence on her.

“There is something really inspiring and courageous about people using their influence and power to create social change,” Withrow said. “Prominent figures standing together in Hollywood are constant reminders that we are not alone in owning our story and expecting social change around sexual violence. For me, this made me believe that my story mattered, but also that I was worthy of believing.”

Dockstader created #MeToo: Your Voice Has Power, an on-campus event that took place last week, out of recognition that USD lacks a safe space for students to speak on the issue.

“The female demographic at USD has been relatively unheard regarding #MeToo,” Dockstader said. “College students at USD have struggled with botched rape investigations, had their trauma ignored and shoved under the rug, and essentially (been) told their stories don’t matter through the rating scale of rapes in the conduct hearing process. #MeToo tells college students their experiences matter.”

According to an LA Times article, in 2014 a former USD student sued the school because the university mishandled the investigation when she claimed she was drugged, choked, and raped in her dorm room. The district attorney’s office decided not to proceed with charges due to the fact that they didn’t have enough evidence to prove the allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. Dockstader also mentioned that there have been other cases that followed this same disturbing pattern, which haven’t been made public yet as well.

While at the 90th Academy Awards, Viola Davis commented on the movement as well. Davis claimed, “If it remains a hashtag and remains a movement then it’s gonna die. It must become a part of our lives.”

Dockstader continued Davis’ sentiment and explained how she plans to make it a part of her life.

“We must incorporate the changes we wish to see in our daily lives, and for me that means at school,” Dockstader said. “I’m here everyday, and there are so many examples of how our university dishonors the experience of survivors. We must begin in our own backyard.”

Dockstader echoed how the addition of prominent figures coming out in support of the movement contributed to its success.

“That is one of the main reasons the movement did not take off last time, because there was not visibility,” Dockstader said. “Additionally, sexual assault affects everyone, and that is what this shows.”

David Sullivan, an associate professor of the communication studies department, believes that there are a multitude of factors that have allowed the movement to shine in today’s society.

“(Our society) certainly has contributed to the importance of this issue and so has the election of Donald Trump to presidency,” Sullivan said. “Not one thing generally causes that great of a reaction, but the timing of different events coming together. It has certainly helped bring together women across diverse political and life experiences over an issue.”

Sullivan commented on the positive impact the movement has had on women to share their stories.

“The movement certainly encourages women to come forward with all sorts of problems under Title IX,” Sullivan said. “Violations of Title IX used to be under-reported because girls are probably saying, ‘There is no one like me out there,’ or, ‘I won’t be taken seriously.’ It is difficult for women to think they won’t be taken seriously now when many people are coming forward; it’s everywhere.”

Sullivan noted how public figures speaking up has propelled the movement forward.

“When women can say, ‘me too,’  that allows them to have a lot of different connections that they feel strongly about, because there will be more to relate to,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan commented on how this is not an issue that just women should be facing.

“The flipside of #MeToo is what really is the problem, and part of that is hypermasculinity,” Sullivan said. “Which calls attention to aggressive, marginalizing, and controlling dominant behavior against women that’s socialized within sports. In a nutshell — boys can’t just be boys. Especially when it hurts others and when it socializes hypermasculinity.”

The conversation surrounding the #MeToo movement will continue to have a presence on USD’s campus. Withrow and Dockstader, along with other Toreros, hope to change the narrative that encompasses the negative stigma in talking about survivors’ experiences — especially on college campuses.