Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Hotvedt, Carmen" <>]

Project Directors and SAPC list members:
 
I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of our perspective
about the Center for Public Integrity/NPR/other news stories about
campus sexual assault.  As you are at this point aware, one of the
survivor narratives comes from a former student at UW-Madison, Laura
Dunn.
 
The UW-Madison EVOC (End Violence on Campus) project partners are
understandably split in their responses.  Some offices and professionals
feel accused, others feel pained knowing the leaps and bounds this
campus has made in the past 15 years, others are frustrated with the
take that it is the onus of victims to report more often, and finally,
there is a concern that students, upon hearing these stories, may not
seek the services available to them on campus.  
 
Managing both relationships and our integrity at this time is essential.
The problem of perpetrators not being held accountable through campus
disciplinary process is very much situated in a nation that does the
same in court systems.  As a movement, we have come far in working with
systems responders, building community understanding, and creating
multiple options for survivors.  But what are we doing as a culture, as
a campus, as a movement, to actively hold perpetrators accountable
through a victim-centered approach?  
 
While these stories do not tell truths that are new to us, I think they
provide a platform for us to engage our campus and community partners in
a new way.  Not in a reactionary or defensive way--though the urge to do
so may be understandable--but in a way that honors the work we all still
have to do, even in the wake of the progress we have made.
 
A student organization on campus, PAVE, UW-Madison, wrote a response
statement in one of the campus newspapers today that I think nicely sums
up anything else I could think to say on this topic.  I encourage you to
read it (link to full story below):
 
Despite all well-intentioned efforts to meet the needs of victims, at
times, as demonstrated in the CPI report, these services may not meet
victims' needs or expectations. In these unfortunate instances, it is
important to acknowledge victims' experiences and to utilize their
feedback as a means to continually evaluate the effectiveness of current
services. While there are challenges that need to be resolved to address
sexual assaults, we, as a campus community, are ultimately responsible
for preventing these crimes and for holding perpetrators accountable. 
 
http://www.dailycardinal.com/opinion/build-support-inside-campus-communi
ty-1.1178353
 
Thank you for your work
 

Carmen Hotvedt
Violence Prevention Specialist
University Health Services, UW-Madison
www.uhs.wisc.edu/assault
608/265-5966 

EVOC:  End Violence On Campus
EVOC Change.  EVOC Equality.  EVOC Respect.