COLUMBUS – Ohio State University is announcing initiatives aimed at reducing sexual assaults on campus, including mandatory sexual violence awareness training for all freshmen next year.
The university’s efforts also include online training for all students beginning next week, the hiring of an additional sexual violence prevention coordinator and more advocates to support students.
“Campuses must be safe places to learn and grow. Ohio State is actively working to prevent and respond effectively to these issues” OSU President Michael Drake said.
A task force including students, staff and faculty also will brainstorm new ways to prevent and respond to such misconduct and violence. The university will hire an additional sexual violence prevention coordinator and continue prevention programs, such as Buckeyes Got Your Back, a bystander intervention initiative.
Vice President Joe Biden reinforced the initiatives during a stop on campus Thursday night, when he promoted the “It’s On Us” national efforts to combat sexual assaults on campuses. That program, along with the “Consent is Sexy” campaign, is designed to promote civility, respect and responsibility.
The university will conduct another survey of its student population in 2016 and 2017. This past spring, Ohio State was one of 27 universities across the nation to participate in the Association of American Universities’ campus climate survey.
Other efforts the university is taking include:
-A partnership with the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio to provide confidential, 24-hour crisis response.
-Confidential group and individual counseling through the Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service and the addition of more advocates in the office.
-A re-aligned Sexual Civility and Empowerment program that relocates all resources to one department within the Office of Student Life.
-Online training for all students, faculty, staff and critical volunteers.