Perfect Timing! In The Midst Of The Kavanaugh Hearing, Penn’s Task Force Makes Women Feel Safe Again

“Wow, thank goodness for that task force,” is probably something most Penn students are used to saying all the time. From recommending event observers to insinuating that reducing alcohol consumption will stop sexual assault, Penn’s task force has really gotten the job done. And now, they've done it again.

In the midst of the Kavanaugh confirmation process, when some lawmakers are attempting to invalidate a woman’s allegation of sexual assault, Amy Gutmann has come in to save the day. The Task Force on a Safe and Responsible Campus Community, which met in 2017, “sought to foster a campus culture free of sexual harassment and sexual violence, alcohol and other substance abuse, and other high-risk behavior that may jeopardize the personal safety of our students.” And boy has this one followed through.

Recently, the task force was responsible for the decision to require sophomores to live on campus. While this move may have other benefits and intentions, its biggest benefit is the fact that it will probably eliminate all sexual assault on campus entirely.

“It’s been an emotional time for many women at Penn. We all really needed a win for the effort against sexual harassment and violence on campus, and the administration really came through,” an anonymous student told us.

“At first, watching everything happening in Washington, D.C. was pretty disheartening, especially considering that most of my friends know someone who has experienced sexual assault. But I had faith that the task force intended to stop sexual violence would come through, and it really did in a big way. Now that sophomores are required to live on campus, I can finally feel safe at Penn again,” said another student.

So thanks, Penn, from women everywhere.