Recently, the Behrend community received a notification informing them that a sexual assault had occurred on campus. As Hollywood and the rest of America attempt to progress the culture surrounding sexual violence, Penn State is attempting to adjust in a similar way.

 

The year 2018 marks twenty years since Penn State University first received a formal complaint against Jerry Sandusky from the mother of Victim 6 in 1998.

 

Within the past twenty years, Penn State has had to adjust to a changing climate surrounding sexual violence. Penn State's policies define sexual assault as occurring when, “a person engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with a complainant without the victim’s consent.”  This can include performed or attempted rape, fondling or touching, incest or statutory rape.

 

Penn State has several programs in place to help create awareness of how best to handle sexual assault or possible sexual assault. This education begins with incoming students, as all freshmen are required to complete an online training course that discusses relevant, issues such as consent.  

 

Through the program Stand for State, the University encourages bystander intervention on campus through its Green Dot initiate. This program uses green dots to symbolize actions that bystanders can take to prevent sexual trauma. These preventative actions center around three D’s of intervention: Direct, Distract and Delegate.

 

Stand for State has a presence even on Behrend’s campus, as the club has held presentations about dating violence, as well as hosting training sessions for students who want to get involved.  Just last semester, the theme of the training event focused around consent, an issue that was widely publicized across campus.

 

As the Penn State policies state on the issue, “Consent must be informed, freely given and mutual.  If coercion, intimidation, threats or physical force are used there is no consent.  If a person is mentally or physically incapacitated or impaired so that such person cannot understand the fact, nature or extent of the sexual situation, there is no consent.”

 

Additionally, PSU strives to keep their housing as safe as possible through their training of the Resident Advisors.

 

Trevor Dinsmore, a sophomore finance and management information systems, is a Resident Advisor in Ohio Hall. To become an RA, Dinsmore had to undergo extensive training in bystander intervention, including the Stand for State Green Dot initiative and the QPR program (standing for Question, Persuade, Refer).  RAs are also thoroughly briefed and kept up-to-date on Behrend’s crime statistics, required by the Clery Act of 1990.  

 

“Most of our job is just referring the resident and checking to see if they’re okay. If they so desire, we can make them an appointment with personal counseling, but the RA can’t force anything,” said Dinsmore. “So, whatever the victim wants is on their shoulders. If they don’t want to press charges, they don’t have to do so. Ultimately, they make the final choice.”

 

After his RA training, Dinsmore said he felt prepared to handle the obstacles he would encounter.  However, experience on the floor allowed him to realize the sensitivity of the situation.  

 

“I feel like Penn State has done their best to prepare me,” Dinsmore stated.  “Obviously it’s up to me to be prepared when the time comes, but when you actually get in the situation, you think, ‘wow, this is tough.’”

 

While Resident Advisors have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their residents, as Dinsmore noted, they are not mandated reporters.  Unlike professors, who must come forward if a student discloses a case of sexual violence to them, they cannot report to campus police.

 

However, they may refer them to personal counseling or Behrend’s Title IX representative, the authority on campus who can assure the victim’s comfort and safety moving forward after sexual trauma.

 

In the “Dear Colleague letter” that Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary Arne Duncan presented in 2011, the effects of Title IX were linked to sexual assault on college campuses.  The letter states, “The sexual harassment of students, including sexual violence, interferes with the students’ right to receive an education free from discrimination and, in the case of sexual violence, is a crime.”

 

According to this letter, universities must respond to complaints of sexual harassment and assault in a timely and consistent manner, making the campus an open and welcoming environment for victims of the crimes.

 

However, as current Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos begins implementing changes of her own, this particular legislation is being rescinded. As a result, Penn State is forced to respond according to their policies.

 

Title IX Coordinator Dan Shaha commented on this change of climate.  He stated, “ Penn State continues to monitor the actions and communications at the federal level. It’s our goal to keep our reporting mechanisms and supportive services for responding to incidents of sexual and gender-based harassment and discrimination as effective and accessible as possible.”

 

As a result, Penn State continues to have a Title IX Coordinator stationed at University Park as well as resource staff across every commonwealth campus. These employees correspond with the Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response to handle investigations and accomodations for the victims, including any necessary scheduling or housing changes for anyone involved.

 

Shaha also went on to emphasize Penn State’s involvement with the 18 recommendations for the Task Force on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, endorsed by University President Eric Barron, as well as their participation in Pennsylvania’s, “It’s On Us” campaign.

 

“It takes incredible strength and courage for someone to come forward and reveal they are a victim or a survivor. If someone has experienced sexual assault, harassment, dating or relationship violence, stalking or other sexual exploitation, I would urge them to seek out the support and help they deserve,” Shaha said. “Penn State has many resources and can work with students or others to take the steps needed to report an incident. There also is a full range of resources, such as housing accommodations, medical care, emotional support, academic interventions and advocacy services for those who may need them.”

 

However, Shaha additionally stated that Penn State recognizes that there are two sides to every story, and that the University is careful to ensure all investigations are carried out in full.

 

“In addition, those who are accused of sexual misconduct may find it confusing or overwhelming – and there are a number of resources for them that help them understand the investigation process and provide support and the University is committed to ensuring appropriate due process is applied,” he stated.

 

However, while Penn State Behrend has these resources available to their students, not everyone feels comfortable coming forward after experiencing sexual trauma. Though Behrend has one or two cases of sexual assault reported on campus a year, according to Lieutenant of University Police Jim Amann, this does not accurately represent all instances of sexual misconduct that occur each year, as statistics from across the nation indicate that sexual violence is an unfortunate and often hidden reality present on every college campus.

 

After experiencing sexual trauma, a student may report his or her case directly to Behrend’s Police and Safety Services who may then refer them to the Title IX coordinator. Afterwards, the case may be handled within the University, or the student may choose to press criminal charges against the perpetrator.

 

Amann encourages students to use “common sense” when going out as well as having a “healthy dose of suspicion when dealing with new people that you meet.”  

 

“Take ownership of your own personal safety,” he stated. “You may see them in class, know their name, but you don't know anything about them except what they have told you and what is on their facebook page.”

 

Additionally, though unknown to most students, Penn State Behrend provides a dusk-to-dawn escort service for students who may feel unsafe or uncomfortable walking home alone. These escorts can be arranged by calling police services. Additionally, students can rely on the Blue Call Boxes that are placed around campus.  Indicated with a blue light, these boxes are designed to provide quick and efficient service to a student who may feel endangered.  Recently, the University has added five new boxes in the recently constructed parking garage near the Burke building, bringing the total number close to 60.  These phones are directed straight to a police officer, and after hours are then connected to the East County Dispatch Center.

 

While sexual trauma is an unfortunate reality within the lives of college students across the world, Penn State is making direct strides to create a better environment for the community.