Sexual assault is a constant topic in the life of a college student. From our own interim president at the University of Oregon to the President of the United States, officials continue to create programs in an attempt to prevent sexual assaults that one in four college women experience during her college career.
Last spring, former UO President Michael Gottfredson assembled a sexual assault task force within the UO senate following the sexual assault allegations against three UO men’s basketball players.
Recommendations received by the task force led to UO Intern President Scott Coltrane announcing that the university will establish a $15,000 discretionary fund to support survivors and prevent assault. The task force has also proposed the institution of a good Samaritan policy. In effect, this policy would prevent reporters of sexual assault from being charged with drug or alcohol violations and the UOPD from tracking the IP addresses of anonymous reporters.
On Oct. 22, the final report of the task force will be presented at the University senate meeting.
On Sept. 19, President Obama and Vice President Biden launched their It’s On Us campaign with the intent to prevent sexual assault.
“To the survivors who are leading the fight against sexual assault on campuses, your efforts have helped start a movement,” President Obama said during the program’s presentation. “I can only imagine how long and lonely your fight must feel. And that’s why we’re all here today: To say it’s not on you. It’s not your fight to wage alone. It’s on us, all of us, to fight campus sexual assault. You are not alone. We’ve got your back.”
A total of 223 campuses across the country have joined It’s On Us.
A number of larger companies and celebrities are also involved in the program like the NCAA, Electronic Arts, College Humor, Pac-12, Tumblr and Viacom, including VH1, MTV, BET, CMT and Spike.
A PSA was released to YouTube upon which President Obama and Vice President Biden made appearances along with Jon Hamm, Kerry Washington, Joel McHale and many other celebrities.
According to the White House fact sheet about the program, It’s On Us focuses on complementing efforts schools are currently taking.
The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, established Jan. 2014, is looking to see how the recommendations translate into education in K-12 schools.
The Department of Education continues to work with schools at all levels in order to improve sexual assault response.
A crucial point of the program is to appeal to collegiate men and encourage them to speak out and report they witness sexual assault.
The program also includes a petition which can be signed on the It’s On Us website at itsonus.org
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