*NO NEED TO DONATE $ ***Sexual violence of any kind undermines a student’s ability to achieve academic success. A free, fair, and inclusive college campus is one which is committed to fostering a safe living, learning, and working environment that is free from discrimination. Students at George Mason University as well as every college and university in this country should have knowledge about and access to support resources to receive both treatment for and means to report sexual violence.
George Mason University’s confidential resources for support regarding sexual violence include WAVES and their 24-hour crisis line, CAPS, and Student Health Services. Students also have access to means of non-confidential reporting of sexual violence in the University Title IX Coordinator, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University Police. Roosevelt @ Mason, a registered student organization, conducted field research of 236 students who were asked: “What existing resources can a student report a sexual assault (or similar crime) to, for an official investigation and response?” Only one student accurately identified the Title IX coordinator, and less than 2.1% knew of the Office of Student Conduct. Furthermore, WAVES and CAPS were inaccurately listed as official reporting sources 103 times. According to the results, there is a large gap in students’ knowledge of their options of reporting sexual violence.
Roosevelt @ Mason is proposing a policy which would require sexual assault resources to be included in all university syllabi. This information would include specification on confidential and non-confidential reporting means and resources for support regarding sexual violence. This simple change would put sexual assault support information directly into the hands of students and would decrease the substantial amount of misinformation about reporting services on our campus. Furthermore, a statement in a syllabus has the potential to send a message of accountability to potential perpetrators, by depriving them of the current culture of silence. The threat of sanctions (dismissal or arrest) can have a significant deterrent effect on perpetrators of sexual assault. Adding this simple statement allows survivors to have the tools they need, while also letting potential aggressors know the community is willing to take action.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 6, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
April 4, 2016
16 Comments
Sexual assault can really alter a student's academic experience - all Mason students should be exposed to ways to access help!
Im glad to see that this is something that the Mason community is willing to advocate for. We have so many services on campus, but what is the point if people are not aware of them!
The professors I've spoken to say it's reasonable and that it would not be too much of a hassle.
There should be a discourse on the nature of consent, and whether students go into college knowing enough about it.
This easy and criticsl policy change could mitigate the stress and miscommunication suffered by victims of sexual assault as they look to report the crime committed against them.
Good idea!!
Wonderful idea! I wish Mason had this sooner
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
*NO NEED TO DONATE $ ***Sexual violence of any kind undermines a student’s ability to achieve academic success. A free, fair, and inclusive college campus is one which is committed to fostering a safe living, learning, and working environment that is free from discrimination. Students at George Mason University as well as every college and university in this country should have knowledge about and access to support resources to receive both treatment for and means to report sexual violence.
George Mason University’s confidential resources for support regarding sexual violence include WAVES and their 24-hour crisis line, CAPS, and Student Health Services. Students also have access to means of non-confidential reporting of sexual violence in the University Title IX Coordinator, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University Police. Roosevelt @ Mason, a registered student organization, conducted field research of 236 students who were asked: “What existing resources can a student report a sexual assault (or similar crime) to, for an official investigation and response?” Only one student accurately identified the Title IX coordinator, and less than 2.1% knew of the Office of Student Conduct. Furthermore, WAVES and CAPS were inaccurately listed as official reporting sources 103 times. According to the results, there is a large gap in students’ knowledge of their options of reporting sexual violence.
Roosevelt @ Mason is proposing a policy which would require sexual assault resources to be included in all university syllabi. This information would include specification on confidential and non-confidential reporting means and resources for support regarding sexual violence. This simple change would put sexual assault support information directly into the hands of students and would decrease the substantial amount of misinformation about reporting services on our campus. Furthermore, a statement in a syllabus has the potential to send a message of accountability to potential perpetrators, by depriving them of the current culture of silence. The threat of sanctions (dismissal or arrest) can have a significant deterrent effect on perpetrators of sexual assault. Adding this simple statement allows survivors to have the tools they need, while also letting potential aggressors know the community is willing to take action.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 6, 2016
Reached 100 supporters
April 4, 2016
16 Comments
Not only is it important that this information be readily accessible, but it will help relieve the stigma around reporting sexual abuse.
Sexual assault can really alter a student's academic experience - all Mason students should be exposed to ways to access help!
Im glad to see that this is something that the Mason community is willing to advocate for. We have so many services on campus, but what is the point if people are not aware of them!
The professors I've spoken to say it's reasonable and that it would not be too much of a hassle.
There should be a discourse on the nature of consent, and whether students go into college knowing enough about it.
This easy and criticsl policy change could mitigate the stress and miscommunication suffered by victims of sexual assault as they look to report the crime committed against them.
Good idea!!
Wonderful idea! I wish Mason had this sooner
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 500 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Not only is it important that this information be readily accessible, but it will help relieve the stigma around reporting sexual abuse.