Making university campuses safe

FE Team | Published: February 10, 2024 20:20:05

The university campus, meant to be free from any form of violence, discrimination, injustice, or unlawful activities, has sadly become a breeding ground for heinous acts such as rape, sexual harassment, assault, abuse, and violence against women. It is deeply troubling that incidents of such nature are becoming increasingly common in recent times.
One such incident occurred on February 3 at JU, one of the leading universities in our country, where students were accused of gang-raping a woman. Worse yet, this is not the first occurrence of its kind. Records show similar incidents took place in 1998 involving students from the same university, yet no exemplary action was taken by the university authorities at that time. This culture of impunity has contributed to the recurrence of such crimes. There are also records of accusations against students, even teachers, sexually harassing their students or classmates. It is imperative to understand why these incidents are happening and take appropriate measures to prevent repetition of such crimes commited on the campus.
One powerful and effective solution is to establish a support centre solely dedicated to women's rights on every university campus. This support centre could serve as a safe haven for victims, providing immediate assistance, counselling, and resources. Its primary goal would be to create awareness among students and visitors about the importance of fostering a culture of respect and safety. By addressing issues related to gender-based violence, the centre can significantly contribute to making our campus a secure and inclusive environment.
Such a support centre could offer a range of services, including educational programs on consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. Additionally, it could collaborate with existing campus resources, local law enforcement, and community organisations to ensure a comprehensive approach to tackling these issues.
Overall, there is an urgent need for action against the rising incidents of sexual harassment and assault on university campuses. The establishment of support centres dedicated to women's rights can be a proactive and impactful step toward creating a campus that upholds the principles of equality, respect, and safety for all. It is time for our university to take a stand and lead the way in ensuring the well-being of its community members. Together, we can create a campus that stands as a beacon of safety and equality for all.
Mojahid Bin Alam Siper
Student, Department of Information Science and Library Management
University of Dhaka
mojahidbin6@gmail.com