Unsilenced: A Petition for Sexual Misconduct Policy Reform at La Sierra University

Too many times I've heard about these incidents through students and their commentaries instead of administration. #changeisneeded !

No mas abuso fisico o mental contra las mujeres!!!Castigos ejemplares y que la justicia ayude a 360 grados a las victimas!!

This needs to be done

As an Alumnae, I'm ashamed at the sluggishness in La Sierra University achievements for Ellen White's admonition to be "the head--and, not the tail."

Silence does NOT support the victims but the perpetrator.

Apoyo esta petición 100%.

As an alumni of this institution and the Adventist Education System, I would like to say this is long over due.

Great petition! Keep our school safe!!

I have no words for how disappointed I am in the leaders of La Sierra University. Current, ongoing sexual assault cases and those of other women in the last five years illustrate that the administration of La Sierra pays lip service publicly to protecting victims but in reality is more concerned with protecting their public image. This short sighted strategy will backfire in the long run of course.

It's time to act like a modern institution of higher learning.

It seems ludicrous that this even needs to be petitioned. As an institute of higher learning and religious orientation, this should be our default to constantly move towards ethical and fair treatment of all.

I am a former student. I am saddened to hear that the school has not made th8s a priority.

This petition needs 2,000 signatures to do the right thing because La Sierra is more concerned with its image and reputation (which happens to be poor in the eyes of the church). The Adventist church is remains deeply patriarchal, therefore students who come forward with their abuse are often ignored and shamed because the church views sexual misconduct as the sole shame and responsibility of the victim. Patriarchal churches ignore the full spectrum of Jesus’ sacrifice. He died on the cross for our sins, He ushered a new beginning for the world, He made us new. Yet this church clings to its old superstitions and points to passages in the Bible that make it “okay” to ignore the rights of God’s children. The idea that women should be punished and ignored due to the fall of Eve was wiped away, but Christians choose to ignore it. One of the many reasons I left Walla Walla was because the president evaded my question, instead chastised me for asking, “Why does the women’s dorm lock down at night, while the men are allowed to come and go?” I came to La Sierra because I believed it to be a school of diversity in Christ, that its roots in patriarchal Christianity are loosening; that it attempts to move closer to upholding the teachings of Jesus Christ; instead of using the Bible as a shield from which to cower in ignorance. There is NO excuse for a Christian school not to implement these demands. How can an Adventist university blatantly ignore the safety of its students? How can a church founded by a woman ignore the voices of its women? Resorting to stereotypes and heaping blame upon the victim is willfully ignorant, morally reprehensible, and it spits in the face of Jesus Christ. A school that calls itself “Christian” should hold itself to the strictest and highest standards. To remain patriarchal is to align with the ‘secular world’ and to, in essence, nullify the life and death of Jesus Christ.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and am upset that this administration has apparently not followed federal requirements for handling this all-too common problem. Please bring yourselves into full compliance with Title IX immediately. Your students deserve nothing less than this.

While progress has been made at the university, I implore the faculty and administration to push forward to make the changes necessary to make current students feel safe and support, and a place that alumi can continue to be proud of.

If we don't stand together, tall and strong ...we will never see change. #unsilenced

I truly hope that these reforms will become a reality at La Sierra University.

As a retired Professor from La Sierra University I want to show my support and give encouragement to the students to raise their voice and demand to be hear. I hope La Sierra University will offer them the safe please was promised to them, and they need and deserve.

La Sierra, you need to be honest & protect the students, not the school's image.