Des Moines Register
12-07-07
ISU study-abroad program at risk after report of assault
By LISA ROSSI
REGISTER AMES BUREAU
An Iowa State University study-abroad program is at risk of being discontinued
after an ISU student returned early after reports of repeated harassment and one
assault during her experience abroad.
Trevor Nelson, director of the ISU study- abroad center, said he has plans to
meet with students who participated in the LAS Semester in Florence, Italy,
operated in conjunction with the British Institute in Florence, to solicit their views
on the experience.
"We're concerned about students who go on our programs (and if they) are fully
informed on the conditions they experience when they go there," he said. "We
look very carefully if it would be in the best interest of the university and students
to continue or discontinue the program."
Amber Troxell, 22, returned to her home in Williamsport, Pa., Saturday after she
said she was harassed and assaulted in Florence to the point she was scared to
leave her apartment.
She left for the semester-long trip Sept. 1.
"I don't think we had much warning," said Troxell, an ISU senior, explaining that
once in Florence, she was told "all American women are dirty. They think
American women are like prostitutes."
Nelson confirmed that ISU paid $500 to cover the cost of Troxell's early plane
ticket home, but said it was in the best interest of Troxell, and not because of the
assault.
He said he has not heard a lot of complaints from students in the Florence
program about safety, and said confrontation abroad is as likely as it is in the
United States.
"We're sending 1,100 students overseas each year," he said. "If you send 1,100
students to Des Moines each year, there would be incidents of harassment. ... In
the 10 years we've operated this program, we have not had a situation like this
happen before."
Troxell said she filed a police complaint with officials in Florence after a vendor in
a well-lit area of the city made sexual advances toward her before he grabbed
her and wrestled her for the items she said she purchased.
"What was most disturbing to me - there were people standing around. They just
looked and watched," Troxell said.
The issue of the treatment of American women abroad has gained the attention
of study- abroad officials and women's studies programs nationwide. Several
programs offer explicit advice to women traveling abroad on their Web site.
Roblyn Rawlins, an assistant professor of sociology at the College of New
Rochelle, in New York state, has advocated study-abroad programs work harder
to provide opportunities for American women and women from host countries to
interact.
Those relationships can help U.S. women interpret messages they receive from
men in foreign countries, in addition to helping them address stereotypes host
countries may have about them, she said.
"You don't want to dissuade young women from going abroad, because it is
useful for them," Rawlins said. "On the other hand, if they are completely
unprepared for the possibility of public harassment ... then they lose some of the
opportunity they might have to really experience the culture when they are
abroad because they are trying so hard to protect themselves."
Troxell said ISU did not take adequate measures to prepare her for perceptions
of U.S. women abroad, an issue that has attracted the attention of ACCESS, an
Ames organization that stands for Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and
Support.
Members of that organization said Tuesday they were planning to meet with ISU
study-abroad officials to discuss ways to prepare students for their trips.
In addition to some sort of pre-departure orientation, Nelson said ISU currently
provides a handbook to all study-abroad students that covers "the whole gamut"
of safety issues and includes content on sexual harassment.
Reporter Lisa Rossi can be reached at (515) 232-2383 or lrossi@dmreg.com
Study-abroad tips for women
LEARN: Before leaving, you should take the time and initiative to learn as much
as possible about your host country's language, religion, customs, and
appropriate dress for women, among other things.
CAUTION: Be cautious until familiar with local values and customs. Respecting
the local social rules will facilitate relationships with host nationals.
DRESS: Dress conservatively; while short skirts and tank tops may be
comfortable, they may also encourage unwanted attention. Do realize that
clothing that is acceptable in the United States may be perceived as provocative
in another country or disrespectful in a specific context (e.g., visiting a religious
site).
BEHAVIORS: Avoid sexually suggestive dancing and flirting. Understand that
behavior you might consider normal or acceptable at home may be scandalous
or even dangerous overseas. Be ready to give up some freedoms that you are
used to at home.
BUDDY SYSTEM: Adopt the buddy system. Having at least one other person
with you whom you trust can help you in regular circumstances as well as in
problematic situations. For example, what if someone spikes your drink? It is
always a good idea to go out in groups.
Source: Iowa State University