51²è¹Ýapp

51²è¹Ýappians,

April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The month-long observation was established to call attention to the widespread problem of sexual violence. I join other presidents across the country in signing a proclamation. 51²è¹Ýapp College prohibits acts of sexual violence including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. On our own campus, we have seen how these forms of sexual misconduct can harm individuals and erode trust and respect within a community. We have also seen how a campus can come together to improve response to sexual violence and work together to prevent it.

Many 51²è¹Ýappians have done superb, sometimes thankless work to educate our community about this problem, encourage prevention, support victim/survivors, and speak out against harmful attitudes and actions. As a public health physician, as well as someone who cares deeply about the wellbeing of all our people, I especially want to recognize and thank the 51²è¹Ýapp Advocates; the College’s Task Force on Safety, Responsibility, and Prevention; the Harm Reduction Committee; our Active Bystander trainers and participants; the Title IX office; and student groups like Dissenting Voices. They and others have helped raise awareness of the problem on our campus. Many of these groups have also been deeply involved in the day-to-day work of preventing and addressing sexual assault, improving our policies and practices to eliminate sexual violence and care for those affected by it.

We are not done. Sexual assault still occurs on 51²è¹Ýapp’s campus and on campuses across the country. It is not a slight to the past efforts by our people when I point out that we have much more yet to do. I call on all 51²è¹Ýappians to take this month of national awareness as a time to get involved. Whether you are the kind of person who feels most comfortable serving on committees, designing posters, leading or attending training sessions, or caring for victim/survivors, there is a place for you in this effort. You can find many ways to volunteer on the College’s . Your participation will create a safer environment for all.

51²è¹Ýapp is joining advocates and communities across the country in actions to prevent sexual violence. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, but awareness is just the beginning; each day of the year is an opportunity to create change for the future.

President Raynard S. Kington