Presentation Transcript

1. UNIVERSITY TASK FORCE ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE 2014 REPORT

   Dr. Carol Collard, LMSW Pamela Braxton, MSW Candidate Anna “Katy” Miller, MSW Candidate Mia Wolfrey, MSW Candidate

2. MISSION STATEMENT

   To implement and deliver a multi-faceted approach to addressing sexual violence on our campus by providing services and training opportunities for students, faculty, and staff who have been victims of sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, stalking, harassment, and all other forms of interpersonal violence, and to prevent further violence from occurring.

3. GOAL STATEMENT

   Establish an effective response to campus sexual assault that INCLUDES comprehensive polices and procedures for campus police, student affairs, counseling and psychological services, and health services as well as advocacy staff Train every member of our Response Team (to include Campus Police, Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Services, and Student Affairs) in best practices Ensure that campus and local officials, health care professionals, and advocates work together proactively to help victims and hold offenders accountable Meet our legal obligations under the Clery Act as well as other federal and state laws Make our community a safer place for students, faculty, and staff

4. SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

   CORRECTING MYTHS AND ADDRESSING FACTS

5. ENGAGING OUR STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY

   Because many adult learners acquire a preference for learning that is based on childhood learning patterns (Edmunds, Lowe, Murray, & Seymour, 1999), and in this we know that pictures and images help one to understand ideas and information better than explanations alone (Jezierski, 2003). The following video has been selected to be shown prior to our full presentation. We believe that in showing this video we are utilizing best practices. WARNING: Some of the content contained in the following video are very graphic.
6. EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF MYTH FACT Sexual misconduct is only conducted by a creepy stranger lurking in the bushes. Men are not victims of sexual misconduct; OR sexual assaults rarely happen to men or boys. Sexual assault is caused by the victim; due to their actions, behaviors or the way they dress. Statistics have proven that the common instances of sexual assault on this campus fall into the following categories - Acquaintance Rape and Date Rape. Statistics indicate that 1 in 6 men are sexually assaulted or abused in their lifetime and the sexual assault of males is greatly underreported. By definition, rape is an act committed against someone’s will and no one WANTS to be sexually assaulted. Offenders will use this excuse to justify or rationalize their crimes by stating the victims wanted it.
7. EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF (cont’d) MYTH FACT Only women who are promiscuous or flirty are sexually assaulted. Most gays and lesbians would change their mind regarding their sexuality if they had sex with someone of the opposite gender. Anyone can prevent themselves from being sexually assaulted if they try hard enough. Sexual assault occurs in all segments of our society. Most rapists choose their victims because they have access to them—same neighborhood, school, or employer. A sexual assault against someone gay or lesbian because they are homosexual is still a sexual assault and a hate crime. Anyone who is sexually assaulted will experience the psychological effects of the trauma regardless of their sexual preferences. Sexual assault is a crime of violence, control and power. In some cases the offender will use force such as choking, beating or using a weapon while committing the crime or the victims life will be threatened. While being in fear, a victim may not fight back while the assault is occurring but this should not be equated to the victim giving consent.

8. WHAT WE KNOW

   20% - 25% of women will experience a completed and/or attempted rape during their college career. 80% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 30. Only 2% of all sexual assault accusations reported turn out to be false. Victims were on a date with the perpetrator in 12.8% of completed rapes and 35% of attempted rapes. 84% of the women who reported sexually coercive experiences experienced the incident during their first four semesters on campus. 38% of college women who have been sexually assaulted while in college have history of a sexual assault prior to college, making past victimization the best predictor of future victimization. (Campus Safety Magazine, 2012) 66% of female victims and 41% of male victims of stalking are stalked by a current or former intimate partner. More than half of female victims and more than 1/3 of male victims of stalking indicated that they were stalked before the age of 25. Using a less conservative definition of stalking, which considers any amount of fear (i.e., a little fearful, somewhat fearful, or very fearful), means that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men would report being a victim of stalking in their lifetime. Students living on-campus are 1.4 – 3 times more likely to be raped than students living off-campus (The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Summary Report)

9. SEXUAL VIOLENCE/MISCONDUCT

   PREVENTION

10. WHAT’S BEEN DONE

    The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) - 1994 “Under the leadership of then-Senator Joe Biden, Congress recognized the severity of violence against women and our need for a national strategy with the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. This landmark federal legislation’s comprehensive approach to violence against women combined tough new provisions to hold offenders accountable with programs to provide services for the victims of such violence.” (whitehouse.gov) The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA ) Reauthorization - 2013 “On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed a bill that strengthened and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act. Included in the bill was the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE), which amends the Jeanne Clery Act and affords additional rights to campus victims of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.” (clerycenter.org) The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act - 1991 “Landmark federal law, originally known as the Campus Security Act, that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. The law is tied to an institution's participation in federal student financial aid programs and it applies to most institutions of higher education both public and private. The Act is enforced by the United States Department of Education.” (clerycenter.org)

11. THE CLERY ACT

    The Clery Act of 1991 (amended through 2013) requires all colleges and universities to: Publish an Annual Security Report (ASR) To have a public crime log Disclose crime statistics for incidents that occur on campus, in unobstructed public areas immediately adjacent to or running through the campus and at certain non-campus facilities including Greek housing and remote classrooms Issue timely warnings about Clery Act crimes which pose a serious or ongoing threat to students and employees Devise an emergency response, notification and testing policy Compile and report fire data to the federal government and publish an annual fire safety report. Enact policies and procedures to handle reports of missing students.

12. WHAT WE MUST DO

    Develop a task force to address sexual misconduct on college campuses and prevention measures tailored to that campus based on the President’s initiative, “The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault.” The task force will include representatives from the following departments: Dean of Students, Counseling and Psychological Services, Human Services, Public Safety/Campus Police, Student Affairs, Resident Life, Greek Life, Athletics, DisAbility Services, Diversity/Multicultural Affairs and the Health Department Sexual misconduct brochures will be placed throughout the university campus to inform students of potential risks of sexual assault. The university is to make every effort to educate students so that they have a responsibility to learn about sexual assault in an effort to prevent its occurrence and protect themselves. The University will conduct sexual misconduct trainings for staff and faculty, including Campus Police and students (to include online webinar trainings for distance learners) on topics such as dating violence, healthy relationships and sexual assault.  The University will publish an annual safety report of campus crime statistics that include crimes of sexual misconduct and make it available to all students, faculty and staff on college campuses. This report will also include security policies and procedures and information on the basic rights guaranteed victims of sexual assault (Clery Act). Adopt the “Bystander Program,” initiating a shift in social and cultural norms to occur and allowing the community to become involved to reduce sexual misconduct. The goal of this program is to educate students to recognize situations that promote sexual violence and to intervene in a safe and effective manner. Other benefits to this program are the reduction in victim blaming, including everyone as part of the solution, and giving the community an opportunity to foster social change.  (Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs)

13. WHAT OUR STUDENTS MUST DO

    General Be alert and aware of your surroundings Avoid alcohol and drug use Avoid dark areas; try not to walk alone; pair up, walk in groups or call University Police for an escort if you must walk alone Learn self defense Males can attend workshops to discuss the awareness and the impacts of aggressive behaviors and how they can help to reduce aggression and violence Remember NO means NO even if prior consent was given Off Campus Ask for identification whenever a repair person comes to your house prior to them entering Trust your intuitions; if you feel uncomfortable in a situation get out of it Always walk with confidence When going on dates, pick a public place Always walk with confidence On Campus Do not let strangers into your room Use your peephole and do not open your door if you are unfamiliar with the person Lock your room at all times, when you leave, are taking a nap, or even using the bathroom Sign in guests and register overnight guests with the Resident Hall Director Report lost keys/key cards to your Residence Hall Director or University Police at once Report any suspicious persons or activities to your Residence Hall Director or University Police at once Do not prop any outside doors open (Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs)

14. EVERYONE HAS RIGHTS

    ACCOMODATIONS AND RIGHTS
15. Appropriate Accommodation In order to provide appropriate accommodations for survivors of sexual assault, the following must be taken into consideration: In an effort to address these considerations, the following programs will be implemented: Students are the ones who will be directly impacted and involved regardless of whether they are a survivor, someone accused, a volunteer, mentor, family member or friend. Student Peer Group that students can seek advice and assistance from in the event of an assault if they are not immediately comfortable with going to campus police/public safety, counseling and psychological services or other resources as outlined. In addition, it is essential that at least one member of the Student Peer Group be a survivor of sexual assault (either through direct incident or relationship to someone who experienced a direct incident). In order to advocate for rights of the accused, there will be one peer group member associated with Public Safety/Campus Police. All services are confidential
16. Appropriate Accommodation In order to provide appropriate accommodations for those accused of sexual assault, the following must be taken into consideration: In an effort to address these considerations, the following programs will be implemented: Students accused of a sexual assault have the right to have their side heard and a decision made as to their academic status at the university. Student Review Group that is charged with reviewing the facts of the alleged assault and making a determination about whether or not the accused student shall remain at the university while the case is being investigated. This team will be a third party group (no students, faculty or staff to prevent bias) from the local community made up of one member of law enforcement experienced with sexual assault, a victim advocate, a SANE Nurse(Sexual Assault Nurse), a medical doctor, and one representative the accused selects – i.e. an attorney, equal rights representative, etc. All reviews are confidential and decisions will be rendered no later than 7 days after a review has been held. The right to a review can be waived if the student accused agrees to sit out a semester – or the remainder thereof – until the case is resolved. Accommodations will be made academically (option of “W” grade without late penalty) if the student is required to leave mid semester.

17. INITIATING A PARADIGM SHIFT

    PROTECTING SURVIVORS AND RESPECTING EVERYONE
18. In order to take the burden of off of victims, we will create a prevention-focused team of volunteer students, community members, and violence prevention professionals. This team will spend time visiting sororities, fraternities, sporting events, local bars, and gyms educating everyone about the power they possess to prevent sexual assault, as well as how to no objectify, and demean others. This team will work in specific to demonstrate practical skills that include; avoiding peer pressure and falling prey to “group mentality,” learning to take action when they witness injustices or the threats of violence, as well as understanding the dangers of binge drinking and illicit drug use. Our initiative will focus on acknowledging the pressures and dangers of “masculinity” in our culture. We will challenge socially constructed concepts of gender roles, femininity, sexuality, and masculinity. We will promote these ideas through social media sites, campus publications, and peaceful, organized demonstrations.
19. As a campus and community, we must understand and acknowledge that we are working within a “Rape Culture,” which normalizes, excuses, and even encourages the objectification and subsequent assault of women. This takes the form of victim blaming, sexual objectification, and trivialization of rape. As a university, we must begin to shift a paradigm which suggests women learn to protect themselves from attack, rather than addressing their potential and active attackers. The message to society and campus is a simple one: in order to prevent rape – “Don’t Rape.” http://sguforums.com/index.php?topic=43426.45

20. DEFINING CONSENT

    WHAT IS IT?
21. The university wide definition of consent has been created and adopted as university policy. The definition is based on Antioch Colleges’ 1993 Sexual Offense Prevention Policy which stated that, “consent for sexual behavior must be verbal, mutual, and reiterated for every new level of sexual behavior.” The University has customized and agreed on this definition as a whole.
22. “In a university of 10,000 students, 350 sexual assaults will occur in the course of the school year.”(Barry, D. M. 2009)

23. REFERENCES

    Barry, D. M. (2009). Campus sexual assault response teams: program development and operational management. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute. Burrow, J., Hannon, R., Hall, D. (1998). College Students Perceptions of Women’s Verbal and Nonverbal Consent for Sexual Intercourse.ElectronicJournal of Human Sexuality. Bystander Intervention Programs. (n.d.).Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs. Retrieved February 12, 2014, from http://www.wcsap.org/bystander-intervention-programs Empowering Women Since 1881. (n.d.).AAUW Empowering Women Since 1881 Know Your Rights on Campus Sexual Assault Comments. Retrieved February 12, 2014, from http://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/legal-resources/know-your-rights-on-campus/campus-sexual-assault Gray, R. (2012, March). Sexual Assault Statistics. Campus Safety Magazine. Retrieved February 19, 2014, from http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/article/sexual-assault-statistics-and-myths Michele C. Black et al., “The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Summary Report,” (Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Myths and Facts. (n.d.). Earlham College Counseling Services. Retrieved February 10, 2014, from https://www.earlham.edu/counseling-services/sexual-aggression-peer-advocates/myths-and-facts Sexual assault on college campus. (2010, November 17). YouTube. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT0u02IS8EY Summary of The Jeanne Clery Act. (n.d.). Clery Center For Security On Campus. Retrieved February 18, 2014, from http://clerycenter.org/summary-jeanne-clery-act