DELACRUZ_Diverse

Texas State Students reveal thoughts on the impact of sexual assault

By Clemente De La Cruz
SAN MARCOS, Texas -- Students at Texas State University conducted a survey consisting of questions about how they define sexual assault, how it has impacted them, and what they think should be done to solve the issue on Tuesday, April 2. In order to conduct a fair interviewing environment, interviews were conducted with people of different types of ethnicities, sexual orientations, genders, race, income wages, and ages, including 60 year old male Odell Mason who is a Truck Driver and Member of Guardians of Children, and 28 year old Rachel Mardell who is a lecturer in the English Department at Texas State University.
When asked about what they defined sexual assault as, Mardell explains that it is an act that forces a victim to do something that they do not want to do that causes harm whether it is mental or physical. Interviewers also asked Mardell if she had any personal experiences with sexual assault and what she thinks can be done to address this issue. "I experienced it growing up and in the military” said Mardell. “what we see in media, like, just joking about sexual assault, like little jokey jokes, right, that reflects that our culture still thinks that's funny, right? It hasn't taken it seriously. There really needs to be not just a shift on the media side, but public perception to where that kind of stuff wont be popular. So I can I get for whatever the case is."

On the other side of the spectrum, when interviewers asked Odell if he had any personal experience with sexual assault he explains how he has not been personally affected, however he knew of a 6 year old boy who went through sexual assault. “No not me personally, But I do know someone who was sexually assaulted at an early age (6 years old) and it more or less left a scar on him for the rest of his life from having severe trust issues, and harder times in relationships” said Odell. “That’s what this epidemic does.” When asked about his thoughts on bringing awareness to address sexual assault, Odell explains how different things were and the lack of awareness there was when he was growing up. “Between my time coming up, and you guys now; You guys are more aware.” said Odell. “You guys are taught from an early age if somebody touches you inappropriately to tell and what you can do if it happens to you, back then (1960s) it wasn’t even a question our parents didn’t look for that so we never talked about it.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meet Mattie Herrera!

Image
Mattie Herrera is a public relations major and political science minor at Texas State University. Her extra-curricular activities on campus include college libertarians and SWIPS (Supporting women in political science). When Herrera is not studying, she works a part-time job at Aquabrew Brewery and Beer Garden as a Waitress. In her early days, Herrera was born in San Antonio and was later raised in Kerrville, Texas. When she was a child she wanted to be a multitude of things such as a lawyer, a TV personality interviewing important people, or a news anchor. Herrera says the happiest moment in her life was when she experienced inner peace during her abroad studies in Howth, Ireland.
Read more

Michelle Frazee

Image
23 January, 2019 Michelle Frazee was born and raised in California before she made the move to San Marcos, Texas to attend Texas State University fall of 2016. Frazee’s original plan was to attend the University of Texas in Austin, Texas but states that fate brought her to Texas State University. Frazee’s dream job is to work with a musical artist or a job that allows her to travel. Frazee does not have any professional experience related to Public Relations but is eager to apply her knowledge to the real world.   Her interests involve working out, attending music festivals with her friends and traveling. A fun fact about her is that she has a black belt in martial arts. On a Sunday evening, you can find her at the gym, Alkek, doing housekeeping duties or organizing her planner for the week ahead. Frazee’s top three priorities are self-care, her relationship with God and her family and friends.  
Read more

Who is Frank Arredondo?

Image
Frank Arredondo, a 24 year old from San Antonio, Texas, is currently finishing up his education as a senior in his final semester at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He is majoring in Mass Communication and Electronic Media and plans to utilize his degree as a social media manager, or as a video editor for a news station after he graduates. Before starting his college career, Arredondo attended Douglas MacArthur High School in San Antonio. During his four years at MacArthur, Arredondo was involved in his school's yearbook club, art classes, and band. After graduating from MacArthur in 2013, he decided to attend community college for two years before transferring to a four-year university in order to save money on tuition. He started his college education at San Antonio College, and then later at San Jacinto College in Houston. After spending two years at community college, Arredondo transferred to the University of Houston. However, after nine months,...
Read more