Content warning: This article discusses sexual violence and predatory behavior.
âI thought he was someone I could trust.â
Journalism junior, âAshley,â said this of the male counselor in her 2018 Fish Camp Discussion Group, who was supposed to âoffer advice about classes, College Station and anything else you need as you begin your journey as an Aggie,â according to Fish Campâs website.
Ashleyâs D.G. dad sexually assaulted her four months into her freshman year at Texas A&M â the unwanted campus welcome that she said stole her joy about the school.
Boldly stated on the front page of its website, Fish Camp, founded in 1954, is âA freshmanâs first traditionâ at A&M. However, sexual assault and harassment have woven their way in as a hidden part of the tradition as current students â D.G. âmomsâ and âdadsâ â are placed in positions of power over incoming freshmen. The result is an established cu
Little has changed at Fish Camp since the oldest member of The Battalionâs Editorial Board attended some 12 years ago. In that time, the organization has been plagued by persistent rumors of certain students (mostly men) abusing their positions as counselors to take advantage of incoming freshmen (mostly women).
Such behavior should be called out for what it is: predation. And predation cannot be tolerated. Those inclined to wave off such instances as âisolatedâ should revisit the often misused idiom âone bad apple.â They should also review the comments made by Lauren Carroll Spitznagle â it is âcommon knowledgeâ that incoming students have been sexually assaulted by Fish Camp staff. As the executive director of the Brazos Valley Sexual Assault Resource Center, or BVSARC, Carroll Spitznagle is the relevant subject matter expert here.