The UA Title IX training was disgustingly weak. Here in Anchorage, we have a serious problem with sexual assault, and women are less safe than they ought to be when outside of their homes here. This training had an opportunity to encourage young students to begin encouraging men to be respectful towards women, and assert the moral high ground when prosecuting sexual misconduct of other individuals. Instead, we got a morally weak training that failed to teach basic self-defense against the most common types of sexual misconduct, and took no clear stance on how to deal with sexual predators.
Here's my two cents (and some change; this will be long):
===1. Don't incapacitate yourself!===
Don't get drunk. Don't do drugs. I understand that partying and getting a buzz is fun for most people, but this also renders even the toughest people vulnerable to sexual predators. If you're not certain that you're safe, avoid drinking large quantities of alcohol. If you do drugs, quit now. In any group environment where you are using recreational drugs, I guarantee you that someone there, while high or sober, may consider taking advantage of you. Drug use is already an illegal act, so you are more likely to bump into people who may not object to sexual crime.
===2. Watch your language (MEN ESPECIALLY)===
We Men generally tend to be the ones taking initiative when it comes to wooing women. This is our nature, and it's pretty normal. However, I have noticed among Alaskan men, that what we may perceive to be flirting, may make women fearful for their safety. Personally, I have a much lower threshold for comments towards women that are untoward or dangerous. Men here behave absolutely barbarically to women they don't know. Here's a pro-tip, and a major time-saver: If you don't know a woman and you find her genuinely attractive, be polite when talking to her. Compliments are fine, but don't come on too strong, and don't say anything that could be remotely construed as sexual or objectifying. These kinds of comments make good women quake in their boots regardless as to whether you're Ryan Gosling or another homeless dude on the street.
The reason why politeness will save you time is simple; if the woman's response is to be rude back, she is not worth getting into a relationship with.
As for men who behave with sexual aggression, they should be reviled and shamed for their degenerate behavior, made aware that their behavior terrorizes women in the city, and makes the sexual assault problem in Anchorage harder to deal with.
Similarly, women should mind their language and conduct around men, because regardless of whether you're in animalistic heat (unbecoming of a person, mind you) or not, contrary to belief, most men are not sex fiends. It does not matter if you look like the goddess Aphrodite, a vast majority of men at any given moment do not want to copulate with you.
In my mind, you are immediately devalued as a human being the second you sexually debase yourself with vulgar language or behavior. Don't like that? Stop being a hedonist.
===3. Vigorously prosecute predators===
This is my final point, and perhaps my strongest conviction:
We are too afraid of imposing morals on each other, because we think it is wrong. I propose a philosophy contrary to this idea. If your set of morals dictates that it is tolerable for you to sexually harass, or sexually assault vulnerable people, I believe that I have the right to impose my morals upon you. Evil exists in this world, and we must vigorously oppose this evil. People who lack morals should have good morals imposed upon them. To protect the weaker people in the city of Anchorage, we should not tolerate behaviors that encourage sexual harassment and assault.
What is sexual harassment, really? Not the work / school safe definition, either:
Vulgar statements or actions, directed at an individual for the purpose of attempting to encourage of a sexual relationship, or sexual activity; whether intentional or unintentional. Statements / actions do not have to be overtly vulgar.
What is sexual assault? Much more simple:
The sexual abuse of one individual over another, resulting from physical contact, including groping, rape, coercion, forcing someone to undress, and the abuse of other sexual activities.
People who are found guilty of sex crimes should be publicly whipped by authorities, and jailed the minimum of a decade. As a society, we should reform perverts, and ostracize those who refuse reformation. Being sexually aroused at the pain of other people is a sick behavior. We must defeat evil, and instead of being moral cowards, we as a city, and as a state, must assert with confidence that sexual crimes are not tolerated by a peaceful, civilized society. Nobody should have to live in Anchorage, fearful of being kidnapped for being a woman.
