Petition for Mandatory Expulsion Policy of Sexual Assault Perpetrators @LU
We the students, alumni and families of students of Lawrence university, demand a mandatory expulsion policy for student perpetrators of sexual assault. We believe that a mandatory expulsion policy will aid in the safety and protection of all students. We are advocating not only for the safety of the whole student body, but for the protection and well-being of survivors of rape and sexual assault. Too frequently survivors feel pressure not to make their cases public and therefore there are continued - and likely very traumatic - interactions on campus between the survivor and the perpetrator on campus.
The current policy states that if a student is found in violation of Lawrence's sexual misconduct policy, punishment could range from suspension to expulsion.
Regardless of the many cases in which the perpetrator has been found in violation of the policy, we are not aware of any expulsions. Moreover, we believe that any perpetrator of sexual assault does not deserve a second chance as a student at Lawrence. We feel that a mandatory expulsion policy for perpetrators of sexual assault will result in three main outcomes: 1. Survivors will feel safer on campus knowing that they will not have to face their attacker, 2. In general, the whole student body will be safer, and 3. In future cases of sexual assault, the survivors will feel more protected by the school's policy, resulting in more reports of assaults.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
June 5, 2015
32 Comments
If there is more severe punishment for cheating on exams, downloading material using the school's WIFI, not writing up a permit for an event etc., compared to sexual assault: then rationally speaking, I'm confused and at a loss of words. I want to know that all my friends on this campus share the equal privelage and right to exist and thriveo n campus without the fear of being suxually assaulted. For that to happen, let us carefully and intelligently reform the sexual assault legislation currently in effect. The safety of the survivor comes first: all else is second priority.
Sexual assault/harassment is against the law. Giving 2nd chances in such circumstances is absolutely unacceptable. If these aren't terms for expulsion, then what is? I have invested too much into Lawrence to deal with this problem. Do something!
I don't think the education of one convicted rapist should be prioritized over the safety and well-being of the entire student body.
Although from a certain perspective I can appreciate Lawrence's attitude that people should be given second chances and that criminality is not inherent, our school's policies on sexual assault are simply another instance of the perpetrator taking precedence over the victim. Any student who has committed sexual assault can have their second chance, but they can have that chance at another school with respect for the victim(s) of their sexual assault.
Why is it that students are expelled for honor code violations and not for sexual assault? I hope that our school will step up to the plate and address the failing system that is in place to protect survivors. We need to change how we address these issues and stop sweeping them under the rug.
Please pay attention to this issue. Thank you for actions recently taken.
Best wishes, stay strong and support the women who need encouragement to speak up.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Petition for Mandatory Expulsion Policy of Sexual Assault Perpetrators @LU
We the students, alumni and families of students of Lawrence university, demand a mandatory expulsion policy for student perpetrators of sexual assault. We believe that a mandatory expulsion policy will aid in the safety and protection of all students. We are advocating not only for the safety of the whole student body, but for the protection and well-being of survivors of rape and sexual assault. Too frequently survivors feel pressure not to make their cases public and therefore there are continued - and likely very traumatic - interactions on campus between the survivor and the perpetrator on campus.
The current policy states that if a student is found in violation of Lawrence's sexual misconduct policy, punishment could range from suspension to expulsion.
Regardless of the many cases in which the perpetrator has been found in violation of the policy, we are not aware of any expulsions. Moreover, we believe that any perpetrator of sexual assault does not deserve a second chance as a student at Lawrence. We feel that a mandatory expulsion policy for perpetrators of sexual assault will result in three main outcomes: 1. Survivors will feel safer on campus knowing that they will not have to face their attacker, 2. In general, the whole student body will be safer, and 3. In future cases of sexual assault, the survivors will feel more protected by the school's policy, resulting in more reports of assaults.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
June 5, 2015
32 Comments
Rapists are often repeat offenders so having them return to campus is a liability for the safety of future students-- not to mention a huge psychic toll on their victims. Lawrence alum.
If there is more severe punishment for cheating on exams, downloading material using the school's WIFI, not writing up a permit for an event etc., compared to sexual assault: then rationally speaking, I'm confused and at a loss of words. I want to know that all my friends on this campus share the equal privelage and right to exist and thriveo n campus without the fear of being suxually assaulted. For that to happen, let us carefully and intelligently reform the sexual assault legislation currently in effect. The safety of the survivor comes first: all else is second priority.
Sexual assault/harassment is against the law. Giving 2nd chances in such circumstances is absolutely unacceptable. If these aren't terms for expulsion, then what is? I have invested too much into Lawrence to deal with this problem. Do something!
I don't think the education of one convicted rapist should be prioritized over the safety and well-being of the entire student body.
Although from a certain perspective I can appreciate Lawrence's attitude that people should be given second chances and that criminality is not inherent, our school's policies on sexual assault are simply another instance of the perpetrator taking precedence over the victim. Any student who has committed sexual assault can have their second chance, but they can have that chance at another school with respect for the victim(s) of their sexual assault.
Why is it that students are expelled for honor code violations and not for sexual assault? I hope that our school will step up to the plate and address the failing system that is in place to protect survivors. We need to change how we address these issues and stop sweeping them under the rug.
Please pay attention to this issue. Thank you for actions recently taken.
Best wishes, stay strong and support the women who need encouragement to speak up.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Rapists are often repeat offenders so having them return to campus is a liability for the safety of future students-- not to mention a huge psychic toll on their victims. Lawrence alum.