Screening of "The Hunting Ground" for Sexual Assault Awareness

Screening of

EAST LANSING - Not a single seat was left open, as crowds were out the door in room B117 Wells Hall on Michigan State University's campus.

Students, faculty and members of the community gathered for the documentary screening "The Hunting Ground," at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 8.

A documentary that investigates sexual assault issues for college students, and how universities respond to the acts of crime.

"The goal was to better educate students on sexual assault and it's prevalence and the incident rate on college campuses," Senior Advisor for the President of Diversity, Paulette Granberry Russell says.

Both men and women had full attention on the projector, as the documentary walked viewers through the experiences of victims who were willing to speak out.

And while those stories were told, students within East Lansing spoke out to HOMTV on their personal experiences.

"I am a survivor and I've been in a domestic abusive relationship," Emily Kollaritsch says.

"It's something that's happened to me personally so it's something I want other people to be able to come out and speak about," Kailie Kipfmiller says.

Kipfmiller is a member of the Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention team and says she wants to make the issue more visible on MSU's campus.

When the documentary ended, the director of the film Kirby Dick stepped up to the mic for an open panel discussion.

Dick talked about the importance of student involvement to raise awareness on sexual assault, and says it effects both men and women.

"Student activism, student survivors speaking out actually started to change the discussion," Dick says. "It's the reason I made this film, it's the reason that I'm here today so students are a part of the solution."

According to Dick, between 16 and 20 percent of women are sexually assaulted and a large number of men are sexually assaulted while they are in college.

Leaving the room tonight Russell says she wants students to walk away knowing what sexual assault is and to be knowledgeable in the issue itself.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted and are in need of help you can call the 24-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Line for MSU at 517-372-6666.








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