NDSU students hold rally on campus to address sexual assault culture

Bridgit Williams was among the first to arrive at the "End Rape Culture" demonstration on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Churchill Field on the North Dakota State University campus. She and a friend drove from Grand Forks to join the gathering, which was organized by the Women's Activist Organization at NDSU. Williams stated that her motivation stems from stagnant statistics on sexual assault over the last three decades.

"I grew up in an era where we were taught to basically thread our keys through our knuckles when we walked to our car," Williams said. "We should not be teaching our daughters to be better survivors. Instead, we should teach our sons not to be predators."

Ella Chappuis, the president of the Women's Activist Organization, cited a recent civil lawsuit against Cornell University as a catalyst for the event. A former student, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that seven fraternity members drugged her with ketamine and gang-raped her in the fall of 2024. Although campus police initially provided the allegations to prosecutors who declined to press criminal charges, a criminal case was opened after the lawsuit was filed in September.

Chappuis, who serves as a resident advisor, said the group discusses the known culture of assault at NDSU frequently. The organization aimed to create a community where participants could share stories and opinions. "We think there's enough people that are upset about it and looking for change and a positive outcome," Chappuis said.

About three dozen people participated in the rally. They held signs with messages including "Our voices matter," "We deserve to be a rape-free campus," and "'No' does not mean 'convince me.'" Drivers passing along University Drive honked and waved at the group, providing support to the smaller crowd.

NDSU student Gabriel Kluck expressed hope that the protest would push administrators and student government to prioritize campus safety funding. "We can put on huge football games, parades, and all this different stuff, but this is where they're sliding," Kluck said. Chappuis reported that she was pleased with the supportive environment despite the crowd size being smaller than initially hoped.

Support for survivors is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). The hotline operates 24/7 and connects callers with trained specialists and local resources.