Understanding what sexual and relationship violence is and its impact on both individuals and the community is the first step toward ending the violence. Learning about definitions, practicing ways to intervene in situations, and participating in programs and events on campus are all ways to shatter the silence and end sexual violence. For more information visit Educate Yourself.
Education and Prevention
USD provides prevention and awareness programs on sex discrimination, sexual harassment (including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and stalking), and dating/domestic violence to the campus community in order to create and maintain an environment that is safe and inclusive and that respects the dignity of each USD community member. USD is committed to the prevention of sex discrimination and sexual harassment through regular and ongoing education and awareness programs. Incoming students and new employees receive primary prevention and awareness programming, and returning students and current employees receive ongoing training and related education. USD also provides programs addressing safe and positive options for risk reduction and bystander intervention.
USD strongly encourages all USD community members to take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent or stop an act of sex discrimination, sexual harassment (including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and stalking), and dating/domestic violence. Taking action may include direct intervention (where doing so does not present a safety risk), calling USD’s Department of Public Safety or law enforcement, or seeking assistance from a person in authority.
President’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Steering Committee
In Fall 2013, the then president, Mary E. Lyons, convened a campus-wide Steering Committee on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, involving faculty, student and administrative representatives to review and propose enhancements to USD’s existing policies, procedures, educational programs, and services addressing the issue of sexual assault. In 2015, Lyons expanded the Committees' charge and focus in to an implementation team.
President James T. Harris III remains steadfast in his commitment to creating an inclusive and collaborative community that protects the rights and dignity of all individuals. This commitment also guides USD’s efforts to prevent sexual violence and respond to incidents involving sexual violence in a way that demonstrates the upmost level of care for those impacted by these incidents.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Guidance on Title IX
The U.S. Department of Education and its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) believe that providing all students with an educational environment free from discrimination is extremely important. The sexual harassment of students, including sexual violence, interferes with students’ right to receive an education free from discrimination and, in case of sexual violence, is a crime. For more information visit, OCR.