Over the past few weeks, student organization “New Trier Students Demand Change” has raised issues about how New Trier educates students on sexual harrassement and assault through a change.org petition and various other efforts.

Because of their work, students are finally beginning to see positive changes take place at school around awareness of sexual violence.

We appreciate the action taken by the administration to enhance New Trier’s education of sexual assault by incorporating it into Kinetic Wellness curriculum for all grade levels. Before, only sophomores were taught about sexual assault– now, starting second semester, all Winnetka students will learn about it.

But there is still more to be done. We stand with all of New Trier Students Demand Change’s demands, including the ability to start a sexual assault prevention club, more support for survivors, and rights to hold a student-directed assembly, and more curriculum reform.

Unfortunately, sexual violence is a taboo topic among many students and teachers.

In recent years it has garnered more attention due to the popularity of the #MeToo Movement, which spotlighted the issue to the public through social media campaigns.

The school needs institutional change to address the culture and education surrounding assault and acknowledging survivors. It is time we address it seriously, for the sake of student health and wellbeing.

A majority of the conversation surrounding sexual assault focuses on how people, especially women, can avoid situations where a possible assault can occur. This can lead to
a slippery slope of victim-blaming, where third parties, such as police, bystanders, and strangers can blame survivors for inviting the assault by their clothing, whereabouts, or state of mind.

This reasoning is false. Such assaults are the fault of the perpetrator. Any gender can experience assault, regardless of how they’re dressed and where they are.

Rather than victim-blaming, it is essential to address the root causes of sexual assault. Therefore, adviseries of both genders should be continuously talking about consent and prevention.

We hope that consistent discussion continues to evoke changes in New Trier’s curriculum and sharpens the administration’s response to reports of sexual violence among students.