University statement regarding recent coverage of student sexual assault

We are aware of recent news about a student sexual assault report that is making the airwaves in Columbus, and we would like to take this opportunity to share everything we are doing to prevent sexual misconduct on our campus.  

First, we would like to express our deep concern for the survivor featured in the news report. She showed great strength in her willingness to come forward with her story, and we applaud her bravery. 

However, we want to express our disappointment in the way the University has been mischaracterized in this report. The safety, health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority. We have provided extensive information to WSYX about our many efforts to combat sexual misconduct and promote a safe learning environment for our students. And this information and our efforts have been widely reported.

As a public institution, we strive to be transparent, and as cooperative as possible with the media. In fact, we have shared not only information about support resources, education and prevention initiatives but also have been very open about the number of reports we have received. We have done so because it is important information and we believe that one sexual assault is too many. 

We also believe it is important to protect, in accordance with state and federal laws, the privacy of individuals involved in sexual assault and harassment cases. By doing so, individuals are able to decide whether and how they wish to share their experiences. 

At OHIO, any person who comes forward receives support and resources, and we seek to empower them to make decisions. 

Sexual assault is a very important issue and one we take very seriously as demonstrated by our actions and focus on continued improvement, education, support, prevention, and training.

We have taken extensive measures to reestablish our Survivor Advocacy Program as a confidential resource for survivors, and we are providing resources to help our advocates lead the nation in their programming efforts. Because our survivor advocates are licensed social workers, their role is to help survivors navigate the aftermath of their assault in a confidential manner. Advocates do not share or comment on information exchanged between a survivor and his or her advocate.

We want every member of our community to be aware of the many pathways they have to report sexual misconduct at Ohio University, and we encourage them to do so.

Survivors have the right to report to whomever they choose. This includes, Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, Community Standards and Student Responsibility, Ohio University Police Department or the Athens Police Department. Students who are unsure of where to report, are encouraged to contact our Survivor Advocacy Program. Members of our faculty or staff who are unsure should  contact Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program.

Other information about our efforts to address this serious issue are available at www.ohio.edu/ending-sexual-misconduct.  We assure our students, their parents, our faculty, our staff and the community at large that we are committed to ending sexual assaults on our campus.

Here’s the information we previously provided to WSYX on this subject:

Safety and security on all of Ohio University’s campuses is our top priority.  We have established an approach that is focused on, among other things, educating our community about the importance of understanding consent because national data shows that the vast majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone the survivor knows and trusts. We are proud that students have been our strongest partners in combating sexual violence on our campus, and we have approached this topic by working with not only our students but also with the broader community. 

In addition to education, we have dedicated resources toward the goal of ending sexual violence that embrace a community solution, as this problem cannot be solved solely with more police officers or better lighting. We firmly believe it requires everyone on campus to do their part and challenge sexist behavior, overturn rape myths, and be better bystanders.

We have developed a strong partnership with our students – and many of our efforts, to date, are a result of our conversations with them about their ideas for addressing this very serious national issue. A few examples are listed below.

• This past fall, our University community banded together for the It’s on Us, Bobcats campaign. In addition to a heavily-attended rally, student groups on and off campus built momentum by speaking out, sharing their stories and standing with survivors.
   
• We have been intentional in highlighting survivor experiences through programming offered on campus. Examples include the What Were You Wearing Survivor Art Installation, Start by Believing programming, and Survivor Speak Outs. We hope that these programs have contributed to an environment that allows for more survivors to come forward through reporting to police and the University.
   
• Students requested increased transit options, and we responded by extending operating hours of OHIO’s free  CATS Late Night Shuttle Service  to seven-days-a-week so that students don't have to walk alone. While overall shuttle wait times are typically within 10-15 minutes, we increased resources to reduce wait times.
   
• OUPD has re-focused their patrol efforts to place greater emphasis on residential areas. Since the start of classes, they have led a number of residence hall discussions about personal safety. They have co-hosted a self-defense workshop, they are teaching Rape Aggression Defense classes, and they have partnered with Student Affairs to reinforce the importance of understanding consent. They have also undertaken an aggressive social media effort to educate the community about consent.
   
• Housing and Residence Life has installed hundreds of cameras in various residence halls in recent years, and we continued to add several hundred additional cameras to similar spaces this fall and winter.
   
• The University, Student Senate, and OUPD have partnered on a new safety app for students that will be made available this this spring.
   
• We once again participated in an annual safety walk with students and city partners on Dec. 6, 2018. Last year’s safety walk resulted in improved lighting on campus and in surrounding areas within the city limits.
   
• Under Dr. Nellis’ leadership, the Presidential Advisory Committee for Ending Sexual Misconduct was reconvened to engage the campus community and develop additional programming to combat sexual violence. They have created www.ohio.edu/ending-sexual-misconduct to provide a robust resource to our campus community to help arm everyone with information they need to fight rape culture.

It is also important to note that, although we are seeing an increasing number of sexual assault reports, the data indicates that the increase is in the actual number of reports, not incidents occurring. In that sense, we are encouraged to see our students, faculty and staff coming forward to report crimes that may previously have gone unreported.

While even one rape is too many, it is reassuring to know we are creating a culture in which survivors are more likely to report their victimization to law enforcement and to University administration.