This year faculty, staff and administration are stressing awareness on sexual harassment and understanding Title IX.
On Jan. 22, President Barack Obama established the White House Task Force. It will provide more attention for sexual assault, and also the responsibilities of administrators in educational institutions.
This emphasis on Title IX is focused primarily on incoming freshmen, due to them being the highest at risk for sexual assault, according to the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Kelsey Macintyre, a freshman kinesiology major, said that she did not know what Title IX was or how it protected and affected her.
“I do feel safer; I like how they’re trying to make a change and help the people,” Macintyre said.
Title IX is an education amendment and a civil rights law that protects all students from discrimination based on gender in all federally-funded education programs and activities.
Sexual assault is defined in the ULM Sexual Misconduct Policy as “a forcible or non-forcible sex offense.” This includes touching or fondling breasts, genitals or buttocks or penetration of sex organs, mouth or the anus.
Sexual assault is not limited to physical acts. The acts can be verbal, mental or even via Internet.
Sexual assault is defined as any sexual act that is not consensual of all parties involved. Consent is a constant and enthusiastic yes.
Perpetrators can be charged with sexual assault, receive jail time, fines and be dismissed from the university.
Victims shouldn’t fear persecution or suspension from the university or law enforcement because they were intoxicated.
Officials encourage students to be “active bystanders.” An active bystander is someone who sees the assault before or when it happens. And says something. The goal is to help the victim by calling for help and stopping the attack.
“When a university is put on notice that an incident such as sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or sexual assault has occurred, under Title IX, we are required to take immediate and appropriate steps to investigate the complaint thoroughly and impartially,” Pamela Jackson, dean of students, said.
Under Title IX, student rights are protected, if an instance of sexual assault is reported, the university is required to take immediate and non-discriminatory action.
Protection for the victim is to be provided by the university. Male and female students are protected under Title IX. Victims can not be turned away by the university in the event of an assault.
