Protesters march through WKU campus chanting against Greek Life sexual assault habits

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A crowd of students gathered on WKU’s campus Friday afternoon to march and protest against sexual violence on campus.

The protest was organized in response to the filing of a lawsuit against Western Kentucky University by a WKU student who, according to court documents, says the university failed to protect her from harmful behavior after she was allegedly raped on campus.

Several others, including Kappa Delta Sorority and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, are also named in the lawsuit, where the student says she was forced to drink at a fraternity party called, “Crush Dance”, and then later sexually assaulted in a McCormick Hall dorm room in February 2021.

One group group, BG Survivors Collective, a support network for sexual assault and abuse victims in Bowling Green, organized the sexual assault protest and march.

BG Survivors Collective organizer Ashley Gibson said, “Until we see a real change, we’re gonna keep protesting. We’re gonna keep organizing, and we’re gonna keep forming a community of safety around these victims.”

WKU Freshman Harrison Boso was one of many men who marched from Centennial Mall to Cherry Hall. He said, “I think too many people are complacent, and I’ve seen a lot of that since my time here.”

WKU Media Spokesperson Jace Lux released this statement in response to Friday’s protest:

“WKU encourages community members to responsibly speak out about important issues. Demonstrations and protests are a hallmark of our right to free speech. The protest today was intended to demonstrate support for a cause that is important to us all—ending sexual assault. We will continue our work to prevent all sexual assaults and will work with student groups to ensure that they can effectively and responsibly advocate for causes that are important to them.”