From the President and Provost: On the Findings of the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct |
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September 29, 2015, Volume 62, No. 07 |
The Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct, a project of the Association of American Universities, was designed to provide comparable data on the frequency and characteristics of sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct. The survey was administered by Westat, an independent national social science research firm, to Penn’s undergraduate, graduate and professional students. There were 27 participating institutions including Penn and six other Ivy League universities.
On the Findings of the AAU Campus Climate Survey on
Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct
Dear Members of the Penn Community,
On behalf of our leadership team, including all our deans, faculty and staff, we are writing to say that it is our highest priority and we will do everything in our power, individually and collectively, to make every student safe and secure from all forms of sexual harassment and assault on Penn’s campus.
We decided to undertake a campus climate survey, in coordination with our peers in the Association of American Universities, to learn more about the incidence of these serious problems and our students’ sense of their experience on our campus.
The survey results confirm our deepest concerns, and we write to you now to say that we are therefore redoubling our efforts. We must not, and we will not, rest until we effectively tackle this problem as a campus community.
The results of the survey we commissioned are deeply troubling. A core principle of all great educational institutions, indeed of every decent society, is respect for all individuals. Every instance of sexual harassment and assault directly undermines this, and is simply unacceptable. We will do everything in our power to address this issue on our campus. This includes all-out efforts aimed at prevention and extends to ensuring fair means of responding to all instances of sexual assault and harassment.
The survey was extensive. We encourage everyone on campus—students, faculty and staff—to view the results in full at http://www.upenn.edu/ir/aau-campus-climate-survey.html This site contains the Penn data as well as the aggregate data from all 27 universities. Let us single out here just one among many striking and useful findings: despite our determined efforts, a majority of students in the Penn survey report that they do not know where to find help here on campus if they or a friend are victims of sexual assault or sexual misconduct. All individuals in the Penn community—women and men, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual, undergraduates, graduate and professional students alike—must know where to turn for help if and when prevention fails. We clearly must do more, beginning immediately, to make all students aware that they have immediate recourse for help.
We want everyone on campus to know that students who have experienced or know someone who has experienced assault or abuse can turn to the Division of Public Safety Special Services Unit, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service or the Penn’s Women’s Center. Links to these and other resources can be found at https://secure.www.upenn.edu/vpul/pvp/resources.php Anyone in doubt of where to turn should call the Penn Help Line, anytime, at (215) 898-HELP. We will continue to promote awareness of the Penn Help Line on PennCards and through other means. We will mobilize all necessary resources to better understand and address the problems, to serve all students in need and to ensure regular monitoring of our effectiveness going forward. To this end, we have charged the Vice Provosts for Education and for University Life to make this their highest priority, and to enlist everyone who can effectively aid and advise in this cause.
We also must make all students comfortable reporting incidents, and we must provide collective assurance that there will be zero tolerance for retaliation. Students, parents and everyone in our community need to know that all complaints will be effectively acted upon in full fairness to the complainant and the respondent. Every member of our community must know that we will always do whatever is needed to resolve every issue that arises in the most just and caring way possible, with the aid of our newly established Office of the Sexual Violence Investigator and other important support systems. As the President and Provost of this institution, and on behalf of our senior administrative staff, the deans and the faculty, we pledge to honor this commitment to our collective University community.
We have long held that any harassment or assault on our campuses is absolutely unacceptable. The climate survey we undertook confirms just how great a problem we confront. We will do everything in our power to counteract this climate, and we call upon all members of our community to do their parts as well. We will be arranging meetings across campus to discuss additional steps that we, and everyone who can address these important issues, are prepared to take. These meetings will entail outreach to Penn’s many student groups and leaders including those associated with College Houses, fraternities and sororities, cultural groups, athletic teams and student government, both undergraduates and graduate and professional students. We ask you to join us in an all-out and all-in effort to make everyone on Penn’s campus equally safe, secure and respected at all times.
Sincerely,
—Amy Gutmann, President
—Vincent Price, Provost
Where to Find Help: University of Pennsylvania Campus Resources
Here is a reference list from Penn’s Violence Prevention Office, https://secure.www.upenn.edu/vpul/pvp/resources.php
of the key offices that may be useful for a student affected by sexual violence, dating violence or stalking.
If in doubt about where to turn for help, call the Penn Help Line at (215) 898-HELP.
Special Services Unit in the Division of Public Safety (DPS)
4040 Chestnut Street
24-Hour Helpline: (215) 898-6600
Special Services offers comprehensive victim support for any member of the University community who has been a victim of interpersonal violence. Special Services has advocates on call 24 hours a day that can provide options counseling, hospital and court accompaniment, and take formal police reports. Special Services is a confidential unit and can provide support for students who wish to remain anonymous.
Penn Women’s Center (PWC)
3643 Locust Walk
Tel: (215) 898-6500, (215) 898-8611
Staff Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The Penn Women’s Center provides education, advocacy and co-facilitates support groups for survivors of sexual violence. Staff at the Penn Women’s Center can assist victims in navigating the different resources both at Penn and in the broader community. They are also available to provide support and guidance to friends and family of sexual assault victims. PWC supports all students regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
3624 Market St., 1st Floor, West
Tel: (215) 898-7021
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday
Emergency walk-in all day.
Night and Weekend Emergencies: (215) 349-5490 (ask for CAPS Clinician on Call)
CAPS offers a wide range of free and confidential services in a safe space to help students who have experienced violence of any kind and to help students who have been accused of committing violence. Initial consultation, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, structured workshops and medication reviews are available. CAPS also has the Sexual Trauma Treatment Outreach and Prevention (STTOP) Team, a multidisciplinary team of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) clinicians dedicated to providing confidential care, support and advocacy to students who have experienced sexual trauma during their academic career.
Student Health Service
3535 Market St, Suite 100
Tel: (215) 746-3535 (on call provider available 24/7)
Office Hours: Mon.-Wed. 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.,
Thurs. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; modified hours are in effect during Fall, Winter and Spring Break, major holidays and Summer Sessions.
The Student Health Service can provide evaluation and treatment to victims of sexual and dating violence regardless of whether they make a report or seek additional resources. Both male and female providers can perform examinations, discuss testing and treatment of sexually transmissible infections, provide emergency contraception if necessary and arrange for referrals and follow-up. The Student Health Service does not perform forensic rape examinations. All services are confidential. Office visits are covered in full by the Clinical Fee and the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP). Charges for lab tests related to a sexual assault are waived.
Office of the Sexual Violence Investigative Officer
3901 Walnut St, Suite 320
Tel: (215) 898-2887
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The Office of the Sexual Violence Investigative Officer is responsible for managing and investigating complaints against enrolled Penn students alleging violations of the University’s Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence and Stalking policy. The Sexual Violence Investigative Officer works with the Penn community to implement the Amendment to the Student Disciplinary Charter, which applies to all twelve schools. Any member of the Penn community or the general public who believes a Penn student has violated the University Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence and Stalking policy may bring a complaint to this office.
Office of Student Conduct
207 Duhring Wing, 236 South 34th Street
Tel: (215) 898-5651
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The Office of Student Conduct (OSC) is responsible for acting on behalf of the University in matters of student discipline. OSC deals with alleged instances of academic dishonesty and other student misconduct, in order to determine how best to resolve these allegations consistent with the goals and mission of the University as an educational and intellectual community. OSC does not investigate complaints regarding violation of the Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence and Stalking policy (see above resource). Any member of the University community or the general public who believes that a Penn student has violated Penn’s rules may bring a complaint to OSC.
Student Intervention Services
3611 Locust Walk
Tel: (215) 898-6081
Office Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Student Intervention Services (SIS), which is centrally located in the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life, coordinates the University’s response to reports of interpersonal violence against students. SIS provides support to student victims/survivors; coordinates with schools, housing administrators and other relevant offices at students’ request; and connects students to appropriate support services. SIS respects the sensitivity of violence cases and can discreetly advocate for students with schools and other offices in the University.
Office of the Chaplain
240 Houston Hall
Tel: (215) 898-8456
The Office of the Chaplain offers pastoral support, guidance or informal advising and counseling to all members of the Penn community. The staff is trained to support survivors of interpersonal and sexual violence or anyone struggling with related issues in a safe and confidential manner. They are also able to connect students to either campus resources or community religious support as needed.
Office of the Ombudsman
113 Duhring Wing, 236 South 34th Street
Tel: (215) 898-8261
The Ombudsman is available to listen and inquire into issues or complaints; to explore options for informal resolution of conflicts; to mediate specific disputes; to clarify and examine university policies and procedures; and to connect people with appropriate resources within the University.
Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs
3600 Chestnut Street, Sansom Place East, Suite 228
Tel: (215) 898-6993
Faculty, staff and students who believe that they, or someone they know, has been sexually harassed or discriminated against may file a complaint with the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs. OAA/EOP can assist with informal resolution or may pursue formal action. Formal action is initiated by filing a written complaint with OAA/EOP. They will investigate the complaint and will take appropriate action. OAA/EOP also provides training for Penn faculty and staff on sexual harassment and other issues related to affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity.
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Center
Carriage House, 3907 Spruce Street
Tel: (215) 898-5044
The LGBT Center provides advocacy, education, outreach and support for and concerning Penn’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Where to Find Help: Philadelphia Resources
There are a number of community-based agencies that are not affiliated with the University that can provide support, counseling and advocacy. Below is information about a few of these organizations that are often recommended to students. For other off-campus resources and online resources, see https://secure.www.upenn.edu/vpul/pvp/resources.php
Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR)
One Penn Center, 1617 John F Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1100
24 Hour Hotline: (215) 985-3333
WOAR is a non-profit organization in Philadelphia that provides a 24-hour hotline, free individual and group counseling to children and adults who have experienced sexual abuse/assault, counseling in Spanish and hospital and court accompaniment. WOAR provides services to all survivors regardless of gender or sexual orientation and offers a Queer Survivors Group.
Women Against Abuse (WAA)
100 South Broad Street, Suite 1341
Philadelphia, PA 19110
24-hour hotline: 1 (866) 723-3014
Office: (215) 386-1280
WAA is a non-profit organization in Philadelphia that provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence in the Philadelphia community including emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal services, behavioral healthcare, advocacy and education. WAA provides services to all survivors regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center (PSARC)
300 E. Hunting Park Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19124
Tel: (215) 800-1589
Emergencies: Call (215) 425-1625 to reach the on-call sexual assault nurse examiner.
The Philadelphia Sexual Assault Treatment Center is designated to provide forensic rape examinations to victims of sexual assault and to assist them in the process of making a report to the Philadelphia Police Department. It is recommended that victims who wish to pursue legal action, or who may wish to take legal action in the future, receive a rape exam which includes a collection of evidence. During this examination victims can receive treatment for injuries and sexually transmitted infections as well as emergency contraception. Individuals may contact PSARC directly by calling the 24-hour hotline, or they can reach out to the Penn DPS Special Services Department who will provide 24/7 transportation and accompaniment to the center.
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