On Friday, April 23, the Wildcat Walk to End Sexual Violence begins at 4 p.m. in City Park.
Sara Haggard, sophomore in medical biochemistry and Student Governing Association sexual assault and prevention director, organized the walk with the Center for Advocacy, Response and Education.
Haggard said the main focus of the walk is to raise awareness for sexual assault, allow survivors to share their stories and discuss how the new Title IX policies affect Greek life.
“I was planning on implementing this walk, which is meant to celebrate the launch of a social media campaign I also launched last week called Don’t Wait K-State, which shares the stories of survivors from K-State, lets students know that this is an issue and to be aware about sexual violence on our campus,” Haggard said.
Related:
CARE prevention specialist educates K-State community about relationship, sexual violence
The walk goes from the northwest corner of City Park to Bosco Plaza. Haggard said the walk itself will take around 40 minutes. Once in Bosco Plaza, speakers, including vice president for student life and dean of students Thomas Lane, Lott, assistant director of Counseling Services Kodee Walls and survivors of sexual assault, among others.
Haggard said she is especially concerned about the Title IX changes and the effect on Greek life. However, she said she is optimistic that new Title IX director Stephanie Lott will help address these issues.
“Basically the way it’s run right now, is that Greek life students if an incident of sexual violence or sexual assault occurred in a Greek Life house … Title IX process — because of like how we got separated from the university — students cannot qualify for a Title IX investigation with university assistance,” Haggard said.
Fraternities and sororities at Kansas State are considered independent student organizations as of 2017. As such, K-State has no liability for issues such as sexual misconduct.
“We’d really just like to see the Title IX policy expanded to Greek life and also be more focused on utilizing the CARE office as a resource at the university and including sexual violence prevention measures,” Haggard said.
Haggard said the event will still go on even if it rains. Masks are recommended and Haggard said social distancing will be enforced “as much as possible.”
