In The Wire’s special issue regarding sexual violence, the incompetence of Whitman’s Title IX handling was put on display in the aftermath of an investigative story regarding state allegations about the mishandling of sexual assault. In an absence of Whitman-based support, the article “‘I’m here to listen’: Walking Through Reporting at WWPD” suggested Whitman students who had experienced sexual violence and were searching for support and protection should turn to the Walla Walla Police Department (WWPD) as both a listening ear and primary reporting resource.

While it is true that Whitman’s Title IX policies have fallen short and failed many survivors in their search for safety and justice, the police as a reporting resource is only a safe avenue for very specific positionalities. The article fails to mention that just because Whitman College is not sensitively or adequately handling sexual assault on its campus does not mean the police will.

Although the prior article walked through the reporting process, stating the WWPD has extensive resources for victims of sexual assault, it’s idealized. The interviews sketched an image of pure acceptance, no expectations, and complete control for someone reporting. Yet it’s a simple fact that the employees interviewed to explain the process of reporting, composed entirely of WWPD staff, exist to uphold a positive, versatile image of the police. 

Their story weaved a portrait of utter relief and safety for those reporting an assault through the WWPD system. However, when looking at national studies on sexual assault reporting to police, “Sexual assault victims report that police are reluctant to take their reports, and investigators ask about prior relationships with perpetrators, ask whether the victim responded sexually to the rape, and make statements about the case not being serious enough to pursue.” 

Additionally, studies find that “the vast majority of reported sexual assaults do not progress through the criminal justice and legal systems.” 

Police, the WWPD included, are also a major enforcer of the justice gap, indicating the difference between the needs of low-income Americans and the resources available to meet those needs. This term encompasses the fact that a large subsect of people potentially impacted by sexual violence cannot report their assault to the police safely. Undocumented people, people with prior arrests or charges, and houseless individuals all face possible legal consequences for reporting their assault to the police. 

For these individuals, simply interacting with the police can be dangerous and life-altering. At the very least, they have limited access to legal follow-through if it is desired due to their legal status and financial barriers, leaving the act of reporting largely lacking for those already marginalized or labeled by the legal system. Even without such an identity, simply being black or brown might disincentivize individuals to utilize the police for reporting as they have historically harmed those communities. 

In a time where the federal administration is as supportive of police and as dismissive of sexual violence as ever, we must emphasize community options as opposed to institutional offices that have historical precedent of marginalization and oppression. 

This means that, although Whitman’s Title IX processes are lacking, we must not turn to further hegemonic entities to fill the gap, such as the police. Admittedly, the removal of the hegemonic as the default does leave more questions to answer: If not Whitman, and not the police – where can students who experience sexual assault look instead? 

No option is perfect and many entities are ultimately reliant on caring and passionate individuals who truly want to offer support for each and every case. But these individuals are products of, and usually work for, larger structures, which can help built stronger cultures of sexual violence response and, ideally, prevention. 

Ultimately, we keep each other safe, even as institutions and law enforcement neglect their community members. Every victim deserves to be made aware of all options, and police are one of those options, but we must move on from the idea that they are systematically more prepared to handle sexual assault than an academic institution, including Whitman College. 

Supporting the work of student groups, like Sexual Violence Prevention (SVP) is essential to building our capacity to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Although they can’t accomplish all that other sources can, they do have students’ best interests in mind, have shown their commitment to the campus community, and are available to offer support, next steps, or whatever a survivor might be needing. Their work is the blueprint for the kinds of systems we should be advocating for, and this means we need to call out all entities that fall short, including Whitman College and law enforcement.