March against sexual assault held at UWL

“We see you, and we believe you.” 

That was one message to survivors of sexual assault, by speakers at a Wednesday gathering on the UWL campus. 

The late afternoon event included remarks from Blythe McConaughey, the university’s violence prevention specialist.

“Change doesn’t happen with one group of people at one event,” she said. “It happens with a whole movement. Let’s keep going after tonight, and show the world that at UW-La Crosse, we stand with survivors, we hold perpetrators accountable, and we take care of each other.”

About 200 people attending the gathering then took a march across the university campus, where a number of sexual assaults have been reported in recent weeks.     

At the university clocktower, Provost Betsy Morgan said she’s “angry” and “sad” that such demonstrations are still being held, after decades of activism against sexual assault.  But Morgan also said she sees positive changes in trying to reduce sexual assaults and help those who have been targeted by attackers.

“I think we listen to survivors more,” said Morgan. “I think we place the blame more squarely on perpetrators, where it belongs. I think we provide more support for survivors and their healing process, and we more fully acknowledge the long-term impact of being a survivor.”  

Survivors at the event were encouraged to seek help at the campus counseling center, if they need it.