Look Who it Was Random video

Miami University fraternities campaign against campus sexual assault

457 views · Published 31 October 2018 · 2:27 · Indexed 22 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

OXFORD, Ohio (WKRC) - "It's on Us."

That's the name of a nationwide effort by college men to reduce the number of sexual assaults against college women. This week, fraternities at Miami University are focusing on the message "No" really does mean "No," and alcohol is no excuse for bad behavior or breaking the law.

Around the Miami University campus in places where students walk every day, half a dozen fraternity houses have put up large and very visible banners as part of the "It's on Us" campaign encouraging college men to act responsibly.

"This is the first time I've ever seen fraternities do something like this, and for people here at the school to come out and be willing to speak about it, I think it's going to do a lot of good," said president of the Chi Psi fraternity, Keegan Davidson.

Miami has an awareness week every fall and spring, but there are also ongoing programs, like training students how to respond when a friend confides she was assaulted.

"Our three short messages are: I believe you. It wasn't your fault, and there are resources available if you need them. In my experience, like talking, having people disclose to me, they can tell that you care," said Anondo Banerjee, the Miami University coordinator for interpersonal violence prevention. 

As for the banners, the "It's on Us" campaign also includes signing a pledge. The idea is to get the conversation going about a difficult subject. And while putting up signs and banners and signing a pledge are good things, the big question is what happens after the signs come down?

"Putting up the signs I think is a great start, but it means nothing if there are no actions that follow that," said senior Kristin Pleasant.

Pleasant is a member of a group called HAWKS -- student peer counselors for issues such as sexual abuse response. She sees the banners every day.

"So I definitely -- when I see them as a student walking by -- I definitely have a good reaction towards it, but actions need to follow after that. If you're just painting a sign on a sheet, I don't think it means anything unless you do back it up with your actions, but I do think it's a good start," she said.

And you do have to start somewhere.

"For us to be able to have conversations with our fraternity brothers, with women and be able to talk about how we can prevent those things from happening, I don't think that that conversation can ever be a bad thing," said Davidson.

Miami is competing with other campuses around the country to try to get the most students to sign an "It's on Us" pledge. Results will be known at the end of October.

More from this channel