Vice President Joe Biden stands by Lady Gaga after she performed her song “Til It Happens to You” at Cox Pavilion on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at UNLV. The event was part of a national “It’s On Us” week of action where students across the country host events aimed at preventing sexual assault and supporting survivors of sexual assault on college campuses.
Thursday, April 7, 2016 | 4:21 p.m.
Sexual assault is never the survivor’s fault.
When everybody believes that statement is true, Vice President Joe Biden said, he’ll know his work on sexual assault is done.
“There will always be violence, but we will have success when not a single, solitary woman who is abused asks herself what did I do?” Biden said. “It is never, never, never, never a woman’s fault.”
Biden’s remarks came during a stop at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion this afternoon. The vice president is on a multistate tour of college campuses as part of the White House’s It’s On Us campaign addressing sexual assault at the nation’s universities.
Biden was joined by Lady Gaga, who performed the Oscar-nominated song “Til It Happens to You,” featured in the documentary “The Hunting Ground” about sexual assault on college campuses.
In a passionate address, Biden cut to the core of the issue. “Folks this isn’t about sex, it’s about power,” he said. “The abuse of power.”
He said his father taught him that the “worst sin” a person could commit was to abuse power — be it economic, political or physical.
“We have to change the culture and make it clear that no means no,” Biden said. “In the classroom, in the mall, even in the bedroom, if you start it and change your mind. No means no.”
Biden also noted that bisexual and transgender people are often the “single most abused sector on campus,” and that while women are often the victims, men face sexual assault, too.
He urged everyone — from university presidents to deans, coaches and students — to take action to prevent sexual assault on college campuses.
“You all have a responsibility to speak up and speak out,” Biden said. “It’s the only way we can begin to change the culture.”
He also urged students — especially women — to be a resource for one another. Many survivors of sexual assault will turn to a friend or roommate before they turn to the police or rape crisis center for help.
“You women who remain silent, you are culpable as well for not intervening to get help, for not doing everything in your power to get your friend assistance,” Biden said.
After performing her song, Lady Gaga told the crowd it was her “greatest honor” to perform and talk about sexual assault, noting the abuse she experienced as a child.
“We have to support each other. We have to care for each other,” Gaga said. “What I’ve learned is the most powerful form of healing is compassion.”
Before Biden’s address, several UNLV students and staff shared experiences and pledged their commitment to fighting sexual assault.
“Everyone copes with their trauma differently. My way was to pretend nothing happened,” said Holly Ramella, an advocate with a UNLV help line and a survivor of sexual assault. “My mentality was that because I was an advocate, I should’ve known better.”
UNLV head football coach Tony Sanchez said, “It’s not just about winning games” but creating a safe, respectful culture on campus.
“It’s not okay to turn the other cheek. It’s not okay to minimize it,” Sanchez said. “We have to recognize what’s inappropriate.”
Daniele Dreitzer, executive director of the Rape Crisis Center in Las Vegas, said the event was crucial in continuing the dialogue surrounding sexual assault. “I’m so appreciative to the vice president for really making this a national conversation,” she said.
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