SDSU RESPONDS TO SEXUAL ASSAULT INQUIRY

by ECM | December 3, 2014 3:40 am

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 2, 2014 (San Diego) – Last week, we reported that fraternities at San Diego State University have suspended social activities indefinitely due to allegations of sexual harassment and multiple alleged sexual assaults,  including some at frat houses. There have been 7 reported sexual assaults on campus in the fall semester and 14 this calendar year year.

Now Greg Block, chief communications officer at SDSU, has responded to questions from East County Magazine regarding these incidents and the response by campus authorities. 

Block confirms that seven sexual assaults have been reported on campus since the start of the semester. But he adds, “Most have been acquaintance situations where the people involved have had some sort of prior relationship. Alcohol is almost always involved. And, in nearly every case, the victim has chosen not to have police involvement or to pursue charges.”

Asked if campus authorities were aware of allegations by students who claimed that participants in a “Take Back the Night” march were pelted with eggs and that members of a fraternity reportedly waved sex toys and shouted sexual innuendos at the marchers, Block states, “San Diego State University Police did not receive any calls or complaints about the alleged heckling and egg throwing during the Take Back the Night event. That said, Student Affairs is investigating the alleged incident and will take appropriate action if necessary, as this type of behavior is potentially a violation of the student organization rules and regulations, as well as a student code of conduct issue.

As for what steps the university is taking to reduce violence against women, Block says the university takes these issues “incredibly seriously.”  He adds, “We have many programs in place already and are continually looking for new ways to educate our campus community about this issue.”

He provided a list of programs and activities already in place at SDSU where training and education of the campus community about these issues takes place:

Training programs include:

• New Student and Parent Orientation
• Residential Advisor Training
• FratManners
• GAMMA
• Bystander Intervention Training
• These Hands Don’t Hurt
• Behind Closed Doors
• Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Workshop
• Wellness Workshops
• Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) trainings
• Training for Faculty and Staff
  • Annual Notification
  • Harassment and Discrimination Training (mandatory for supervisors/managers; available for all employees)
  • New Employee Orientation
  • New Faculty Orientation
  • Title IX Training for managers (voluntary)
  • New Department Chairs Training

Annual Events – http://arc.sdsu.edu/wellness/events/upcomingevents.php[1]

• RAINN Day
• White Ribbon Campaign
• Denim Day
• Take Back the Night
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Resources

• Counseling and Psych Services
• University Police
• Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators
• Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Student Health Services and Health Promotions
• Employee Relations and Compliance 
• Sexual Assault Task Force
• Collaborative Incident Management Team

In response to the fraternities’ decision to voluntarily suspend activities and take steps to address the problems (Story here[2]), Block has this to say.

“We commend the leaders of the Greek community for recognizing our shared responsibility to end sexual violence and taking proactive steps to address this critical issue. We must work as one community to create the substantive changes necessary to end sexual violence on our campus. The steps outlined last week by the Greek community are the beginning of what must be a sustained effort to change attitudes, culture and actions and the university is committed to working with, and supporting, our Greek community as it pursues these essential efforts.”

He added that this is a community effort, and all opinions and ideas are welcome as efforts continue to change attitudes and actions on campus.

Source URL: https://webvibrantamerica.com/sdsu-responds-sexual-assault-inquiry/

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