BROUSSARD_Diverse

University students questioned about sexual assault

By San’Tres Broussard

SAN MARCOS, Texas – On March 26, 2019, mass communication students of Texas State University formed focus groups compiled of their peers to discuss and record the feelings and beliefs regarding sexual assault on college campuses.

The mass communication students were given the opportunity to interview whomever they felt necessary for the focus group with one requirement: the focus group must be compiled of university and college students.

Edna Gonzalez was given the opportunity to interview a junior at Lamar University, Omar Aguilar. Gonzalez asked Aguilar about his definition of sexual assault.

“An individual of either sex, initiating a sexual act with another person who is uninterested,” said Aguilar, “Especially when the person initiating the action has a personal advantage they use to try to coarse the individual they are trying to force the action on.”

I was also given an opportunity to interview one of my peers. Derrick Sanders is a 22-year-old junior at Texas State. I asked Sanders what Texas State could do to better to discourage or condemn sexual assault on campus and how the university could better help the victims.

“I feel that Texas State could have more sexual assault events,” said Sanders, “they should also have support groups for the victims.”

Arian Helm and Frank Arredondo were granted permission to interview Sariah Gonzalez, a senior at Texas State. Helm and Arredondo asked Gonzalez what she could do, personally, to prevent sexual assault.

“Personally as an individual, I'm not entirely sure what I can do,” said Gonzalez, “but if I'm ever out with friends, I can make sure they're with me and we can keep track of each other the entire night.”


All participants stated that they have never witnessed nor been involved in a sexual assault situation.

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