As college students, we hear a lot about rape, whether in the national news, through campus education efforts or, sadly, from people we know who have experienced it. The statistics about rape aren’t as solid as we’d like because so many people — women and men — choose not to report it. Oftentimes it goes unreported because the trauma of the situation is so significant that it can be unbearable to relive it over and over again in medical, law enforcement and judicial interviews. It goes unreported because the victim may think no one will believe him or her. And what’s worse is that it even goes unreported because details about the victim’s history — that may or may not have anything to do with the rape — can be brought into public view.

This is why I believe it is important that we pass Measure 3 this November. Measure 3 puts crime victims’ rights into the constitution so they are guaranteed to the same level as criminal defendant rights. Measure 3 makes sure crime victims are notified that they actually have rights. It makes sure that the right to be notified of proceedings, the right to be heard at certain parts of the process and the right to be free from harassment are actually enforced.

I can’t imagine being a victim of crime, but I also know it happens to more people than I realize. I will vote yes to ensure that every crime victim is notified of their rights, and that those rights are guaranteed and protected. I encourage all students voting in North Dakota do to the same.

Jamal Omar, North Dakota Young Republican