When this year’s Contemporary Novels course sat down to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Christine Walters and her students expected a straightforward mystery story. However, it soon became clear that the thematic elements of power and justice in relation to violence, specifically sexual assault, were far more compelling than the average class assignment. Deeply affected by the struggles of the character, students became inspired by the deep reflection from author Stieg Larsson.

Throughout the book, statistics about rape and assault in Sweden are periodically included to reinforce the prevalence of the issue. After looking into how these statistics compared with those for the US, Walters’ students realized the widespread issue of sexual violence in America. As they further contemplated the novel and its relevance in today’s society, they crafted a project to spread the word, beginning with the wall right outside Walters’ door.

“Once we truly understood the issue, we felt it was our responsibility to make this issue known to our school,” senior Allison Bergeron said. “We hope that the wall will catch the attention of students and teachers to bring more awareness to such an overlooked problem in our community.”

On the second floor, the Contemporary Novels class has decorated the hallway walls with pressed flowers, in reference to symbols of guilt and grief in the book. The flowers rain down “drops” that reveal statistics about sexual assault in the country.

“The class found these statistics very difficult to discuss, but everyone agrees that it is also a necessary subject,” said Bergeron. Spreading awareness of such a delicate and complex issue may be difficult, but the students of Contemporary Novels have taken on the task.

Recently, colleges and universities have been caught in scandals involving assault, in which administration suppressed victim statements to protect the reputation of the institution. The recent, critically acclaimed 2015 documentary The Hunting Ground brought the severity of the issue to the forefront of the public’s attention. The film documents two former UNC Chapel Hill students in their pursuit of justice for themselves and other sexual assault victims. Using an interpretation of Title IX,  a law that requires equality in all federal educational programs, now-graduates Annie Clark and Andrea Pino started a movement with their legal activist group, End Rape on Campus.

But Clark, Pino, and their associates aren’t the only voices calling for change. One Columbia University student, Emma Sulkowicz, made headlines with her bold “Carry That Weight” thesis project; from 2014 to 2015, Sulkowicz carried her mattress around campus until her alleged rapist was expelled or arrested. The outcome of Stanford’s Brock Turner sexual assault case drew national headlines and widespread outrage due to what many perceived as too light a punishment for the accused. At nearly every major American university, the topic of sexual assault is a major focus for both students and administrators.

As victims of assault become more vocal, the public clamors for change. Critics of the current trajectory of campus assault legislation, like Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, find too many students are accused and are not considered innocent until proven guilty under Title IX’s guidelines.

However, the lack of support many victims claim is commonplace indicates this claim is false. Whatever the case may be, parties on each side of the issue agree that the stigma surrounding sexual assault and current legislation in the United States must change.

For more information about the Wall Drops of Awareness and the larger issue of sexual violence, see Mrs. Walters and her Contemporary Novels class in Room 229.