Employees required to report sexual violence

The Office of Equity and Inclusion has reinterpreted its sexual harassment policy, which follows guidelines set by Title IX dealing with sexual discrimination under federal law, in order to create a more survivor-based culture on campus.  

Last April, university administrators sent out a "Dear Employee" email directing university employees to reexamine the way sexual harassment is handled and reported on campus. After looking into the issue, the Office of Equity and Inclusion has implemented changes into how university employees should report incidences of sexual harassment. Under the new guidelines university employees must report all incidents of sexual misconduct that they hear to the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Jennifer Almquist of the Office of Equity and Inclusion claims that the Penn State sexual abuse scandal had no bearing on the decision to revamp the university's sexual harassment policy because they had started addressing the issue last spring before the story broke.

Sexual violence exists as a major problem in the college community nationwide. Despite the high level of sexual violence instances, only about five percent of cases ever get reported. The Office of Equity and Inclusion has implemented the new policy guidelines about sexual harassment in hope that more reports paint a clearer picture of sexual harassment issues in the university setting while maintaining the right for survivors to remain anonymous. The new guidelines also help to direct survivors towards resources that may help them.

In most cases the anonymity of the survivor can remain intact if no one seems in pressing danger or if the incident did not involve a university employee. If a present danger exists or the incident did involve a university employee the university must step in to protect people's wellbeing, but, otherwise the Office of Equity and Inclusion wishes to protect survivor's rights to remain anonymous.

"Survivor focused protocol, as much information up front to preserve choice," Almquist said.  "Most employees can't keep confidentiality."

The fact that most university employees cannot hear about an incidence of sexual violence without having to report the story might deter survivors from seeking aid. However plenty of channels of complete confidentiality still remain for individuals that wish to seek support.  

University medical employees and psychologists remain exempt from having to report to the Office of Equity and Inclusion because of the licenses they have earned to perform their jobs. Both Counseling and Psychological Services and Student Health Services provide resources for survivors of unwanted sexual attention.

Survivors can also contact the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, which provides help to community members. CARDV operates 24 hours a day and can provide safe housing and immediate transportation to those in trouble.

SHS has two Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners who, during regular SHS hours, can medically treat survivors of sexual violence as well as collect evidence for future legal action should a survivor choose to pursue that route.  Exam kits get stored regardless of whether a person chooses to report at the moment or not, in case they may wish to do so in the future.

"We definitely are happy to see students for care whether or not they are going to want to report an assault or not," said Kendall Kelley, one of the SANE qualified members of SHS. Kelley remains confident that exams allow full confidentiality and personal choice on the part of the survivor.

Survivors of unwanted sexual attention can also go to Sexual Assault Support Services during business hours, located inside CAPS to see psychologists trained in how to deal with issues stemming specifically from the trauma of such incidences. SASS counselors will work with survivors in a safe and confidential environment to address their mental health needs after an emotionally damaging incident. SASS also strives to help survivors navigate the other resources available to them during a time when they might have difficulty doing so on their own.

As part of switching to a more survivor-based culture beyond just treating survivors after an incident, the various sexual violence support groups also work on preventative measures to bring more awareness to sexual violence issues. Through education measures the groups work to change the way our culture talks about sexual violence to bring the issue to light and to shift the stigma of blame that exists in social dialogue off of survivors.

According to Linda Anderson, coordinator of SASS, confidants of survivors can offer a great deal more support to survivors if they do three simple things: believe what the person says, listen without judgment, and offer information about resources and choices, which all help shift the stigma of sexual violence from blaming the survivor to blaming the perpetrator.

"It's not your fault. Societal messages undermine services and resources available for you that are confidential," said Anderson to survivors. "Don't fear to tell. We have a philosophy of supporting unconditionally with healing and recovery."

Alex Hilborn, staff reporter

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