In April 2014, The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault revealed its findings after a comphrehensive____study. The results were shocking, 1 in 5 students at our colleges and universities were victims of sexual aassaults. https://www.notalone.gov/
Then in _____the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a list of 55 colleges and universities currently under investigation for their handling of sexual assault complaints under Title IX. http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-releases-list-higher-education-institutions-open-title-i
- Enhancing data collection through campus climate surveys. A tool kit for schools that elect to do so is provided and, pursuant to further research, schools may be legally required to conduct these surveys by 2016.
- Enhancing prevention efforts through bystander intervention programs. Cited by the task force as one of the most promising strategies available to academic institutions, bystander intervention programs can empower men and women across college campuses to stop sexual violence before it occurs.
- Prioritizing victim confidentiality. The report encourages schools to identify and train confidential victim advocates to provide emergency and continued support to those who report sexual violence. A sample confidentiality and reporting protocol is provided for schools to customize.
- Increasing information sharing and transparency. In addition to releasing the list of schools currently under investigation, OCR will, moving forward, share publicly all formal agreements between schools and the government in relation to a claim of sexual violence and will make available online a list of each school’s Title IX coordinator.