TW: sexual assault and rape.

My name is Yenli Wong and I am a graduating senior at Pomona College. This semester, I opened a Title IX investigation by reporting multiple instances of sexual assault that were committed against me by a fellow student. Unfortunately, my experiences with the investigation process and with the administration have been extremely isolating and painful. The investigative process was conducted in a manner that made me feel as though I were being interrogated, only aggravating the trauma of having to repeatedly relive the assaults. The end result of the process itself made me feel totally abandoned by the College administration: though the perpetrator was eventually found guilty of multiple instances of sexual assault, the sanctions imposed were minimal. It is my belief that in my case and possibly others, Pomona College's administration has failed to take a firm enough stance in response to sexual violence.

I wish that I did not feel this way, but a part of me regrets filing the complaints in the first place. I thought that the process might help me to heal, but it instead opened entirely new wounds when I realized that the College was happy to treat someone who had aggressed and violated me with utmost leniency. Had I known justice would not be served, even after my assailant was found responsible, I would never have subjected myself to this process. I now understand why sexual assaults are among the most underreported crimes in this country, and why so many survivors of sexual violence choose to heal in silence.

By refusing to appropriately punish those who repeatedly commit sexual assault, the Pomona College administration is complicit in the perpetuation of rape culture. Rape does not occur in a vacuum, and it is thus unconscionable to treat individuals who have displayed patterns of sexual violence with lenience. It is the Pomona College administration's responsibility to demonstrate a firm commitment to stamping out sexual violence. This is something that they owe to their students, who deserve to feel safe from such abhorrent transgressions. The College must do more to offer emotional and psychological support to those reporting sexual violence, as well as hold perpetrators of such violence fully accountable. In turn, it is our duty as students to hold our college accountable and make it clear that sexual harassment and assault are NOT something that we will tolerate on this campus.

I demand the following from Pomona College's administration: 

1. That the College revise the sexual misconduct policy and clarify what sanctions will be imposed for the various kinds of sexual misconduct that are listed. In Pomona's sexual misconduct policy, there are no potential sanctions listed, and they are instead decided at the discretion of the Vice President. The heading "sexual misconduct" furthermore applies to offenses varying from voyeurism to non-consensual penetration, and does not classify by severity. This said, our policy needs to take a harsh stance against all types of sexual misconduct. For example, our policy should follow Duke University's policy which states, "While expulsion is the starting point for consideration, the hearing body has discretion to decide that (a) different sanction(s) is (are) appropriate."

2. That the College expel students who repeatedly commit sexual assault, as such patterns of sexual violence have no place on our campus. 

3. That the College provide emotional and psychological support to Complainants and Respondents. The College needs to appoint a specific support person or a counsellor to each party because the process is extremely isolating and emotionally draining. 

4. That the College hire investigators who have been trained to understand the specific trauma that comes with being sexually assaulted or harassed so that the investigation process does not serve to exacerbate existing trauma.

5. That the College provide education, advocacy, and support for students who are survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence, as well as their friends and families by establishing an Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Intervention. 

Thank you for your support. I truly appreciate it. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at yenli.wong1992@gmail.com.