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

["S. Daniel Carter" <>]

Michele,

Thank you for providing this clarification. Based on my conversation with the reporter, and the content of their article I was confident that the headline was incorrect about this. I have since spoken with the reporter and The Red & Black has changed the headline in the online version of the article to read “Rapes of UGA students go unreported to campus police”.

While the article highlights positive work being done by the field, I apologize for not taking into account how RSVP was inaccurately described before posting it. In addition to your thorough response, the paper also published an excellent letter to the editor by Dr. Jean Chin, Executive Director of the University Health Center “UHC plays vital role in supporting rape victims” which is available online at http://www.redandblack.com/views/letter-to-the-editor-uhc-plays-vital-role-in-supporting/article_fb18a24a-309e-11e3-8e86-0019bb30f31a.html.

S. Daniel Carter

Director of 32 National Campus Safety Initiative

VTV Family Outreach Foundation

P.O. Box 230024 * Centreville, VA  20120

Office: 202-684-6471

http://www.32ncsi.org/

From: Michele Passonno <>
Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2013 4:04 PM
To: "S. Daniel Carter" <>, "" <>
Subject: Clery Act Statistics

Dear Colleagues,

 

The Red & Black (independent newspaper) article title “Rapes of UGA students go uncounted if not reported to campus police” is inaccurate. This should have also been stated in my initial post, but in response to the question by S. Daniel, reports made to the RSVP office are included in Clery Act statistics.

 

 

Michele Passonno

 

Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator

Health Promotion Department

University Health Center

University of Georgia

 

(706) 542-7233

(706) 542-9778 (fax)

 

 

From: S. Daniel Carter []
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2013 4:12 PM
To: Michele Passonno;
Subject: Re: UGA response

 

Thank you for sharing this information about the resources your office provides. In speaking with the reporter I had some difficulty in determining if reports made to RSVP or other offices on campus are collected for inclusion in the Clery Act statistics. Could you clarify if reports made to RSVP are included in the statistics?

 

S. Daniel Carter

Director of 32 National Campus Safety Initiative

VTV Family Outreach Foundation

P.O. Box 230024 * Centreville, VA  20120

Office: 202-684-6471

http://www.32ncsi.org/

 

From: Michele Passonno <>
Date: Monday, October 7, 2013 2:41 PM
To: "" <>
Subject: UGA response

 

Hi All,

 

Last week an article was published in the Red & Black student newspaper entitled “Rapes of UGA students go uncounted if not reported to campus police” and a link to the article was also posted within this list serv. The article misrepresented information about the RSVP office and support services available to University of Georgia (UGA) students. Our objective in submitting clarification to the SAPC list serv is to ensure that our colleagues are aware of the services this office provides to our campus community. 

 

The UGA Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) office is located in and supported by the University Health Center. It is a safe space for students impacted by sexual violence, stalking, and interpersonal violence. 

 

Who we are

The Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) office has been part of the UGA community for over a decade.  Currently, we are part of a university wide effort working towards eradicating and responding to various forms of interpersonal violence.

 

What we provide

RSVP provides a full spectrum of support services.   These include: crisis response, legal advocacy, coordination of medical and emergency services, academic support services, safety planning, accompanying students to any services at the student’s request, and above all, provide ongoing non-judgmental support and encouragement.  Additionally, the RSVP office provides comprehensive prevention, awareness and education programs for the UGA community.  Within prevention education, bystander intervention strategies are incorporated to improve the climate of safety within the campus.

 

Location and visibility

We are intentional in our location within the University Health Center.  Not only do we provide a private locale in which to meet with students, we are just steps from the Women’s Clinic, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), Other Medical clinics, and Urgent Care Services for after-hours care within the health center facility. 

 

Collaboration

RSVP works collaboratively with on-campus resources such as UGA Police, CAPS, Residence Life, Student Support Services, EOO and Women’s Studies Student Organization, to name just a few.  We also partner with community agencies including The Cottage Sexual Assault Center & Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc., and Project Safe (our local domestic violence agency). 

 

Awards

RSVP is a member of the Sexual Assault Review Team (SART).  In 2010, this team received the University of Georgia’s Division of Student Affairs “Living the Mission Award” for improving the overall clinical outcomes for student victims by supporting the students’ emotional, physical and social well-being and coordinating and expediting care and referral services.  The SART was additionally awarded a 2011 Chancellor’s Customer Service Award for improving delivery of care to students who experienced a sexual assault.

 

 

A false assumption was made within the article that UGA’s low sexual assault report rate is due to a lack of resources.  As we know, there are a myriad of reasons that a victim might choose to not come forward to report or seek services as a result of the incident. The University Health Center and other offices on campus have maintained and will continue to promote a climate that is safe and supportive of all our community members.    

 

Michele Passonno

 

Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator

Health Promotion Department

University Health Center

University of Georgia

 

(706) 542-7233

(706) 542-9778 (fax)

 

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