White House Releases Recommendations For How Schools Can Fight Sexual Violence

In efforts to end sexual violence on university and college campuses, a White House task force issued a number of recommendations for schools on Tuesday.

According to the National Institute of Justice, one in five women is sexually assaulted while in college. According to the University of Wisconsin System, 285 UW students reported being sexually assaulted in 2012. Most of the assaults occurred off-campus and most victims were violated by an acquaintance.

The number of actual sexual assaults is far greater, since incidents typically go unreported.

Among its many suggestions, the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault recommends that schools voluntarily issue campus climate surveys to better understand the number of actual sexual assaults. The surveys could become mandatory in the future.

It also recommends that each campus has a person that survivors can confidentially talk with. Only some UW campuses have a staff dedicated to working with assault victims.

Ingrid Peterson is UW-La Crosse’s violence prevention specialist who works directly with student survivors. She says the federal recommendations will help bring consistency to campuses. While Peterson often educates UWL students about sexual assault prevention, she’s glad the report is emphasizing this work on campuses nationwide.

“What we’re hoping is that when people are at a party and they see someone in that situation, they intervene,” said Peterson. “I don’t have any illusions that offenders are hearing me talk about this and will change their ways. It’s got to be the rest of us who step up and help each other in those situations.”

Editor’s Note: University of Wisconsin System officials did not respond in time for this story’s broadcast, but did send an emailed response later:

“UW System’s leadership team is actively engaged in plans to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. We will fully intend to address the requirements outlined in Title IX, the Dear Colleague Letter, the Violence Against Women Act, and to strengthen protocols, procedures, and practices to improve the campus climate at each UW System institution. Similarly, the UW System intends to ensure its policies and procedures are fully responsive to White House’s recommendations in this area.“