Dear Carolina Community:
We are writing today to honor the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month provides us with an opportunity to recognize the impact of sexual violence in our community and to challenge us to identify ways we can continue to work together to prevent it. We encourage each of you to get involved in efforts to create a safe campus community.
Throughout the year, Chancellor Folt has updated you on our progress in addressing this issue, including the adoption of a revised policy that covers sexual violence, the launch of mandatory training and the addition of new resources and support options. Events this month provide another opportunity to come together to raise awareness about sexual violence.
Campus organizations will host many programs, including events that share survivor experiences; the UNC Gender-Based Violence Research Group Mini-Conference held earlier today; a One Act bystander intervention skills training; a HAVEN training to help students and employees support survivors; a program providing the opportunity to have conversations about consent; and the Campus Connections event where students and employees can directly connect with campus resources. A full listing of events is available at http://safe.unc.edu.
Tomorrow, all students will receive an email with a link to the national sexual assault survey sponsored by the Association of American Universities (AAU). We’re one of many campuses across the country participating in the survey, which is designed to help us better understand the prevalence of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and interpersonal violence at Carolina and on other participating campuses. The information shared will help us with our future prevention and response efforts. The survey can be accessed by email from April 2 until April 22 and should take about 20 minutes to complete. Every student should participate so that we have an accurate picture of what’s happening on our campus. We hope that you will take the time to complete the survey. The AAU is also offering a small incentive for survey participants. For more information, visit http://safe.unc.edu.
The documentary “The Hunting Ground” will be shown on April 16. The screening, hosted by several campus organizations, will take place in the evening in Carroll Hall room 111. We want to encourage you to attend this important event. University and community groups will be present to discuss available resources and provide support. The time will be announced at a later date; please check the events calendar at http://safe.unc.edu.
We strongly encourage you to get involved in all of these efforts. Working together, we will continue to make progress.
Felicia A. Washington
Vice Chancellor for Workforce Strategy, Equity, and Engagement
Winston B. Crisp
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Published April 1, 2015