Columbia Students Are Holding A Massive Rally Over The School's Sexual Assault Policies

Days after the story of a Columbia University student who is carrying her mattress to protest the presence of her alleged rapist on campus, Columbia students joined a large rally Friday on campus to show support for survivors of sexual violence at the university. 

Called Stand with Survivors, the rally “will give a chance for students and alumni survivors to discuss their own experiences with sexual assault and Columbia’s adjudication process,” according to Columbia student newspaper The Daily Spectator.

Students also brought their own mattresses in support of Emma Sulkowicz, who has been carrying her mattress for over a week. She has said she will carry the mattress as part of a performance art piece until her alleged rapist leaves Columbia, either by university action or his own volition.

Here are some of the images coming out of Columbia this afternoon:

Students have brought mattresses to the front of Low Library.

 

 According to the Spectator, a group of students also met with Columbia University President Lee Bollinger to ask for additional changes to the school’s sexual assault policies.

The issue of sexual assault on college campuses has come to the forefront in recent months as students at universities across the country have spoken out about their own experiences and alleged mishandling of their cases by their schools.

In May, the federal government released a list of 55 colleges being investigated for potential sexual assault policy violations after revealing in January that students “experience some of the highest rates of sexual assault” in the country. The list has now increased to more than 70 schools by the end of the month.

Additionally, many student groups are advocating for better sexual assault policies, including a landmark sexual assault complaint filed by 23 Columbia University students in April.

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Columbia Students Are Holding A Massive Rally Over The School's Sexual Assault Policies