Kansas State University

Update on university's efforts to combat sexual violence, support victims

Submitted by Roberta Maldonado-Franzen, Title IX coordinator; Heather Reed

Last week, the White House released "Not Alone," a report from the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. Kansas State University has historically prohibited sexual assault and has supported assault victims.

The university continues to expand its sexual violence education, prevention and advocacy efforts, to do its part to eradicate sexual assault, to support those who have survived it and hold individuals accountable for their actions. The university has responded by addressing and implementing improvements in policy, education, reporting and advocacy including:

• Revisions of the PPM 3010 Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Violence, and Stalking, and Procedures for Reviewing Complaints. The policy provides an investigative model under which sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking can be easily reported and expeditiously reviewed by well-trained investigators through a minimally intrusive process. The process allows for individuals involved to have a support person and uses a preponderance of the evidence standard to determine whether a violation has occurred.

• Education mandates direct that all students are to be provided training in sexual violence prevention, bystander intervention and alcohol education. Faculty and staff leadership has provided guidance and input into the development of online training provided by the Office of Affirmative Action or Office of Institutional Equity.

• Advocacy — Confidential counseling and advocacy efforts continue to be available through Counseling Services and the Manhattan Crisis Center. The Women's Center, Lafene Health Center and SafeZone continue to advocate for and support victims. The Women's Center advocates for victims and assists them through the reporting process in partnership with the investigators at the Office of Affirmative Action or Office of Institutional Equity. The Women's Center and SafeZone remain in their traditional location, 206 Holton Hall.

• Support — K-State supports students throughout this process through the Office of Student Life. The office works with entities across campus to support students who need interim measures of protection and support during the process. Such measures might include changes of course section, moving to a new space in student housing, or reducing course load.

Kansas State has a long tradition of being proactive and supportive of students who experience these situations and will continue to develop programming to meet the requirements and spirit of federal mandates.