UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA NICOLE CARLENDAVID TERNIER

T E A M C A P T A I N : PEYTON LIPSCOMB

SEXUAL ASSAULT TASK FORCE AT OurU

Task Force Mission

The Task Force at Our University strives to protect our students from any dangers that present themselves. Our University’s goals are to reduce sexual violence and misconduct in the campus community and raise awareness to the community about sexual violence. Our University hopes to stop sexual violence from happening one case at a time.

GOAL STRATEGY1. Accommodating the unique needs of survivors of sexual violence

-Protect victim identity-Give power back to survivor-Collaborative efforts across departments-Assist in feelings of security-Allow for multiple form of reporting -Adjustment of response-Retaliation prevention -Resources to speak out

2. Ensuring the rights of those accused of sexual violence are met

-Evaluate policies-Collaborate with campus and city law enforcement-Provide a prompt, fair and impartial investigation and resolution-Make accused aware of rights

3. Changing myths of sexual misconduct to fact -Use social media apps, such as SnapChat and Instagram to raise awareness -Tactical use of advertising spaces on campus to raise awareness. These spaces include buses, electronic signs, bulletin boards throughout campus buildings

4. Sexual Misconduct prevention -Provide events which encourage students to socialize in alcohol free settings -Raise awareness of sexual objectification through programs-Encourage students to sign pledges to stand against sexual violence -Partnerships with outside resources, such as Men Can Stop Rape

GOAL STRATEGY

5. Changing the paradigm from victims protecting themselves from sexual violence to ensuring all our community members treat everyone with respect to prevent sexual misconduct

-Educational Programs at Orientation-Bystander Training -Additional training for faculty and staff -Unique educational programs during the semester which are open to/partner with the surrounding community, such as slUtwalk and Lighting tours

6. Educating the campus community on ensuring all parties involved in sexual activity consent to that sexual actions

-Provide definitions of consent and sexual violence-Educate on the most commonly known areas that sexual violence can occur-Raise awareness of other outlets that can lead to sexual assault-Discuss ways we can prevent sexual assault-Incorporating social media into raising awareness

7. Keeping Current with recent regulatory updates

-Additional Apps on the OurU phone App that break down responsibilities and obligations of the university-University Blog with updates from Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) that can encompass VAWA, Campus SaVE, and Clery updates

STRATEGY ACTION

Protect victim identity -Train/Educate responders on victim response and rights as outlined by the university and OCR -Implement policy of “need to know” so that information does not pass through chain, but is only reported to those at a high level of “need to know”, be that through the Dean of Students Office, Counseling center, Residence Life, University Police, etc.

Give power back to the survivor - Adjust response to fit the desire of the survivor - Provide survivor with resources in the campus community and outside, i.e. counseling, medical, legal, etc.

Collaborative efforts across departments

-Provide and have ready appropriate resources for survivor -Investigate reports in an timely, but thorough manner -Communication between departments for referrals: Dean of Students, Housing, University Police/Police, Health and Wellness, Counseling Center, Women’s Center

Goal 1: Accommodating the unique needs of survivors of sexual violence

STRATEGY ACTION

Assist in feelings of security -In situation where both parties are identified, ban the perpetrator from dining halls, residence halls, and other locations if necessary-Permit for room/building change if desired by the survivor

Allow for multiple forms of reporting

-Implementation of electronic reporting system for survivors (and witnesses) who would like to create a report, but would like to do so anonymously.

Awareness of response -Recognition by institution there might be need for variation in response for male, female, and LGBTQ survivors-Take culture into consideration and adapt response to align with culture to keep survivor comfortable

Retaliation prevention -Policy for perpetrators to sign a non-retaliation statement before any conduct hearings can occur

Resources to speak out -Campus meetings for survivors -Online forum to share stories -Campus events

Goal 1 continued

Electronic Reporting SystemBenefits:•Designated spot for anyone to report if

they live on or off-campus, survivors or witness to the act

•Anonymous unless student is in danger – might be a good alternative for those we want to report but fear consequences (such as the process outing their sexuality)

Suggestion: •has to be visible and made known to

students•available on the school website or OurU

phone App

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE FORM

OurU Phone App

The OurU Phone Application will be available to both student and administrators.

The application links on the screen will take users to a variety of links which will educate on policy, procedures, rights, news updates, and any programs.

More details into each will follow.

Goal 2: Ensuring the rights of those accused of sexual violence are met

STRATEGY ACTIONEvaluate policies -Evaluate policies to ensure they incorporate the proper

procedures when assessing a sexual violence case as well as making sure Title IX and the Clery Act are incorporated.

Collaborate with campus and city law enforcement -Have trained law enforcement working with the campus to help investigate sexual violence cases.

Provide a prompt, fair and impartial investigation and resolution -Be conducted by officials who receive annual training on issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability.

Make accused aware of rights -The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunity to have others present during an institutional disciplinary proceeding, including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an advisor of their choice.

Goal 3: Changing myths of sexual misconduct to fact

STRATEGY ACTION

Use social media apps, such as SnapChat and Instagram to raise awareness

-Discuss facts about sexual violence and misconduct through memes and other pictures.

- Ex1: a picture of a young woman with a quote underneath, “they said I was asking for it because of the way I was dressed.”

- Ex2: a picture of a young man with a quote, “they said it was not rape because there was no way to prove it.”

- SnapChat-Instagram

Tactical use of advertising spaces on campus to raise awareness.

-Using advertisement spaces on campus including buses, electronic signs and bulletin boards we will present various facts to faculty staff and students to keep them informed of the truth about sexual violence

Goal 4: Sexual Misconduct prevention

STRATEGY ACTIONProvide events which encourage students to socialize in alcohol free settings

-Studies have shown that there is a correlation between alcohol consumption so providing an alternative activities will hopefully have a positive impact.

Raise awareness of sexual objectification through programs

-These awareness programs would focus on current media’s influence in sexual objectification and how that can influence our decisions

Encourage students to sign pledges to stand against sexual violence

-At the beginning of the year have multiple tables around campus providing information about sexual violence and have people in the community sign pledges to stand against sexual violence

Partnerships with outside resources, such as Men Can Stop Rape

-By bringing in outside resources we hope to reach out to students and empower them to make choices that contribute to a healthy campus community.

Goal 5: Changing the paradigm from victims protecting themselves from sexual violence to ensuring all our community members treat everyone with respect to prevent sexual

misconduct

STRATEGY ACTION

Educational Programs at Orientation -Bring in survivors to share their stories

Bystander Training -Teaching our students what it mean to be a bystander as well as how they can intervene effectively and safely

Additional training for faculty and staff -Understand what are the resources on campus, and how they can be a resource to the students

Unique educational programs during the semester which are open to/partner with the surrounding community, such as slUtwalk and Lighting tours

-slUtwalk: Put yourself in the shoes of a woman who was “asking” for it to understand some of the misconceptions that are placed on women who sexually assaulted-Lighting tour: Students wouldto partner with University Police and other resources on campus to see what they do not like on campus in regards to safety and how they would change things

Goal 6:Educating the campus community on ensuring all parties involved in sexual activity consent to that sexual actions

STRATEGY ACTION-Provide definitions of consent and sexual violence and sexual misconduct

-Cover what people define what consent is not-Cover what people define consent as-Provide actual definition of consent-Give definition of sexual violence and the breakdown of it

-Educate on the most commonly known areas that sexual violence and misconduct can occur

-Program for campus community that speaks about how homes, community areas, professional’s office, and hospital/jails are risk areas

-Raise awareness of other outlets for sexual assault -Stalking and Cyberstalking

-Discuss ways we can prevent sexual assault -Don’t walk alone-Keep all distractions put up-Be alert-Call someone-Try statements to deter them

-Incorporating social media into raising awareness -Facebook page: Consent at OurU-Sexual violence awareness on Consent at OurU Facebook page-Twitter: #consentawarenessday, #consentatOurU

OurU Facebook and Twitter Here at OurU, we are aware how much our students incorporate social media into their everyday lives. Therefore, we are creating consent awareness through our Facebook and our Twitter.

Facebook: OurU task force has created a Facebook page called Consent at OurU. The plan with the Facebook page is to just continue to provide support to our students. On March 25, which is Consent Awareness Day on our campus, during the course of the day, different facts, information and stories from sexual violence survivors (which have been cleared by the survivors). This will be a year round page that students can utilize as a resource or to become a part of the community to support survivors of sexual violence.

Twitter: OurU task force also created a Twitter page. This page, Consent at OurU, will also share facts and information, but will encourage the use of the hashtags: #consentawarenessday and #consentatOurU and #nomorerape for Consent Awareness Day on March 25.

Goal 7: Keep recent on regulatory updates

OCR News: ● This portion of the OurU app would be linked to the university Blog which keeps up to

date on news from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). VAWA:

● Interactive portion for administration or faculty to educate on the Violence Against Women Act and additional resources/legislative information.

SaVE:● Under this faculty and staff would be linked to a user friendly guide that outlines the

updates made to the Clery Act which fall under this Act. It would also give staff a step-by-step process to work through reporting and processing through scenarios so they can inform students of their rights as outlined in the act.

Ask us Questions:● This would connect users with the Legal Department to answer any questions.

Goal 7: Continued

Campus Blog:

The intent of the blog would be monitored by the legal department with the intent to update the campus faculty and staff on news or policy changes. The electronic blog would be sent out regularly to faculty and staff. This would also allow staff and faculty to comment with any questions they might have.

For example, this update is on the 3 tribes in Oregon which allows tribes to exercise jurisdiction over cases of violence. This can potentially affect American Indian students enrolled on campus and serve as an example of the direction of future legislation.

CitationsClery Center. (2013). Vawa reauthorization . Retrieved from http://clerycenter.org/article/vawa-

reauthorizationBrandenburg, J. B. (1997). Confronting sexual harassment; what schools and colleges can do . New

York: Teachers College Press.Duncan, Arne. (2014, Janurary 26). We must stop campus rape. Retrieved from

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2014/01/26/We-must-stop-campus-rape/stories/201401260015Fisher, B. S., Daigle, L. E., & Cullen, F. T. (2010). Unsafe in the ivory tower; the seual victimization of

college women . California: SAGE Publications.

Flaherty, C. (2013, February 14). AAUP seeks better policies on preventing sexual assaults. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com

Grasgreen, A. (2013, June 5). Yale program to shift sexual assault culture goes beyond prevention. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com

Grasgreen, A. (2012, October 25). As allegations fly, Amherst College tries to counter sexual assault issues. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com

CitationsGrasgreen, A. (2013, October 18). Montana adjusts to life as a ‘blueprint’ for sexual assault response. Inside

Higher Ed. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.comICTMN Staff. (2013, March 7). President Obama Signs Violence Against Women Act Into Law. Retrieved from

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/03/07/president-obama-signs-violence-against-women-act-law-148057

ICTMN Staff. (2014, February 6). Three Tribes to Exercise Jurisdiction Over Non-Indian Perpetrators Under VAWA. Retrieved from http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/02/06/three-tribes-exercise-jurisdiction-over-non-indian-perpetrators-under-vawa-153444

Sadoff, R.L. (1986). Sexual Violence. Bull NY Academy Medicine, 62(5), 466-476.Todahl, J. L., Linville, D., Bustin, A., Wheeler, J., & Gau, J. (2009). Sexual assault support services and

community systems: Understanding critical issues and needs in the LGBTQ community. Violence Against Women, 15(8), 952-976. doi: 10.1177/1077801209335494

White House. (2014, January 23). A Renewed Call to Action to End Rape and Sexual Assault. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/01/a-renewed-call-to-action-to-end-rape-and- sexual-assault/?src=rotator