A respectful, safe and productive environment for all students, faculty and staff is essential to our success as a University and to upholding our highest values as a community. It is what catalyzes the fullest potential in our students and the greatest excellence in our teaching, research and service.
In 2013, our University convened a Task Force on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response to review current policies and practices, examine best practices at other institutions, develop new methodologies where necessary, and propose a plan for their implementation. Thanks to the work of many, all 18 recommendations presented in 2013 have been initiated or completed and the December 2015 update is now available for your review.
One of the Task Force’s guiding principles was to Create Cultural Change. From acknowledging that the vast majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by a person or persons known to the victim, to challenging the propensity for victim-blaming, to understanding the meaning and nature of consent, we must each take responsibility for ensuring this focus on change continues. To that end, I am establishing a Title IX Steering Committee to enhance the University’s ability to address the full range of behaviors that could adversely affect our community.
The scope of this committee will be broader than the Task Force’s charge, which focused exclusively on sexual assault of a student by a student. The Title IX Steering Committee will address relationship violence, domestic violence, harassment and stalking — in addition to sexual assault — involving or affecting employees, students and other members of the UW community.
The Title IX Steering Committee will be a standing university committee, chaired by the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Amanda Paye, who has been providing leadership and expertise in coordinating the University’s institution-wide system of both preventing and responding to sexual violence, and ensuring the institution’s compliance with Title IX. Crucial sexual assault prevention and response work is provided by many dedicated university staff, students and advocates, including individuals such as Melissa Tumas, the education & training coordinator in Student Life’s Health & Wellness office; advocates Natalie Dolci and Dana Cuomo; and student conduct investigators like Matt Sullivan and Julie Draper Davis. Representatives of these offices and others from a long-standing Title IX Committee will continue their service as this group becomes the Title IX Working Committee, which will report ongoing progress and challenges to the steering committee.
As always, confidential advocates are available to provide support and resources to members of our University community who have experienced sexual assault or are experiencing unwanted sexual contact, relationship violence or stalking. You can find information here, along with other resources to help each of us of take care of ourselves, each other and our community.
Thank you for your commitment to this important work. Together we can create a safer and more caring environment, one that leaves each of us freer to pursue our hopes and aspirations.