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Kappa Sigma At Marquette Addresses Sexual Assault With A Powerful Photo Project

Kappa Sig

With all of the talk regarding sexual assault on campus in recent months, one fraternity chapter decided to do something more than talk about it.

The Xi Xi chapter of Kappa Sigma at Marquette University not only had all of its members participate in the “It’s On Us” pledge, they decided to embark on a photo project that aims to educate and challenge other fraternity men to be a part of working to eradicate sexual assault on campus. The chapter’s “It’s On Us” photo project includes reasons we all need to be a part of the solution, as well as tips on how to intervene in cases of possible sexual assault, which they shared on Facebook in the following post:

Far too often, Fraternities and Sexual Assault are linked together, yet these two should not go hand-in-hand. Kappa…

Posted by Kappa Sigma Xi-Xi on Friday, December 18, 2015

It reads:

Far too often, Fraternities and Sexual Assault are linked together, yet these two should not go hand-in-hand. Kappa Sigma Xi-Xi at Marquette University values being the difference and understands it is not enough to simply know in our hearts that it is on us to take a stand, but show the community and world that we are not a stereotype. We are the men of Kappa Sigma Xi-Xi, always working hard to make a change.

Kappa Sigma Xi-Xi has taken the pledge
To RECOGNIZE that non-consensual sex is sexual assault.
To IDENTIFY situations in which sexual assault may occur.
To INTERVENE in situations where consent has not or cannot be given.
To CREATE an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.
This pledge is a personal commitment to help keep women and men safe from sexual assault.

It is a promise not to be a bystander to the problem, but to be a part of the solution.
Kappa Sigma Xi-Xi challenges other fraternities and individuals across the nation to do the same. To take the pledge and learn about how you can talk honestly and openly about sexual assault, and what you can do about it if presented with a situation.

You can take the pledge at http://itsonus.org/#pledge
To learn about special training regarding confronting a situation please contact your university’s student development center.

Special Thanks to Philip Batzner and Douglas Bierer the photographers and editors without whom this project would have not come to fruition, it was fantastic seeing my little idea turn into something this big.
-Gilberto Vaquero

Kappa Sig

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Kappa Sig

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According to Gilberto Vaquero, Kappa Sig’s Communication Director, the chapter takes the issue of sexual assault very seriously. “This was a way to not only show the world that fraternities and sexual assault should not be put together, but that we were taking a stance to stick up for sexual assault prevention and for the victims. It wasn’t enough for me or my brothers to just know we aren’t rapists as fraternity men, but how else could we show we weren’t a part of the stereotype? And that we took this seriously? That’s how this project came to be. That and knowing that the It’s On Us project pushes for change and an end to sexual assault.”

The chapter is already getting positive feedback from the sorority chapters on their campus, including Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, and Sigma Kappa. But perhaps the most touching message was sent to one of the brothers from a sorority woman on campus who is a sexual assault victim. She said that every time she sees other fraternity men standing up against sexual assault, she “feels like I’m winning back so much that I lost that night.”

You can check out the entire album here.

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Jenna Crowley

Jenna used to be known as 2NOTBrokeGirls, but then one of the girls actually went broke, so she's struck out on her own. Jenna spends her free time saving the world, one sorority girl at a time (usually while wearing yoga pants), questioning why she decided to get a doctorate, and documenting her love of all things cheese related. You can ask her anything you want about football, using your boobs to get what you want, and pizza at @JennaLCrowley on Twitter or via email at [email protected].

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