What might happen if sororities could host parties the same way that fraternities do? The New York Times published an article, “Sorority anti-rape idea: Drinking on own turf,” which provoked just that idea on Tuesday.

In the Times, the case for the idea that sororities throwing their own parties versus just attending parties fraternities host is that it might lower a sorority member’s chance of being sexually assaulted, as well as the percentage of those sexually assaulted on college campuses. Those in support of this system change said they believe that if sororities are hosting parties, there is more control placed in the hands of the women in the sorority. 

For instance, the article quotes Dania Roach, a senior who participates in sorority life. “I would definitely feel safer at a sorority party,” she said. “It’s the home-court advantage.”

The Times also quoted Amber McLeod, a junior at George Washington University, who said girls who throw parties are more protective than the men at frat parties, which she likened to a hunting ground.

“[Girls] just keep an eye on each other,” McLeod said.

They think that this will result in a lowered chance of a fraternity member having the power to take advantage of someone. 

Though the article acknowledges that this change would in no way end sexual assault, it makes the case that it might make a difference in numbers by placing control in the hands of sororities rather than fraternities. Maybe this approach would diminish some sexual assault, maybe it wouldn’t. It really is difficult to tell. But this is not the real issue at hand.

The real problem is in the mindset that the battle has already been lost and all that can be done is try to prevent large numbers of sexual assault.

Unfortunately, this approach is one of many that dances around the real problem by offering options that might not allow sexual assault to take place. The approaches typically discussed to end sexual assault are all centered on removing control from people, typically men. It is sad that such an atrocious thing is not taught against, but instead the focus is placed on how to make it more difficult for people to do. There needs to be a shift in focus to teaching people not to sexually assault instead of trying to invent ways that will only make it a little bit harder to commit sexual assault.

Making it more difficult for sexual assault to take place in the Greek system is a cowardly way of addressing a very real issue. This approach will do little to diminish sexual assault. It is almost as if people are accepting these tragic instances as inevitable and doing the minimum to at least cut down on the number of those affected. Sexual assault cannot be accepted as inevitable. It must be fought against on every level until each person is educated on the subject and determined to end it. 

Instead of creating an atmosphere for fewer sexual assaults to take place, it is time to teach people not to do it altogether. Education on this subject is important in informing people of what sexual assault can entail and how it can be ended. 

The Greek system has done a poor job of powering against sexual assault on college campuses and needs to make serious improvements in the way these instances are handled. Too many fraternities never undergo any penalties or consequences when sexual assault takes place in their houses. There have been numerous instances in which fraternities make light of sexual assault, or encourage it on social media sites or in fraternity-wide emails. This shows that there is still ignorance in our country involving sexual assault and that there is a long way to go in showing the severity of it. Until it is taken seriously in the Greek system and on a national scale, no one will take it seriously.