Letter to the Editor: ‘We must empower survivors of sexual violence’
It’s On Us signs are all around campus. Photo by: Michelle Ross
Published Oct 10, 2018
The following is a letter sent to the editor and reflects the views of the author.
As a TCU family, we are called on to support members of our community. It is on all of us to create an atmosphere of empowerment and support for members of our community facing adversity. We must come together to show our community that we are dedicated to empowering survivors of sexual violence and that their voice matters on our campus.
To those who have been impacted, either directly or indirectly, by sexual violence, we are here for you. As members of the TCU community, we are committed to creating a culture that listens to and empowers survivors of sexual assault and promotes the prevention of this crime. We strive to foster an environment where every person feels valued, listened to, and supported.
In light of issues facing college students and other women around the country, TCU has changed the name of its sexual violence prevention campaign from “Not On My Campus” to “It’s On Us”. Because the truth is, it is on our campus. It is on all college campuses. And It’s On Us to be powerful bystanders against potential sexual assaults and to stand up and defend fellow members of our TCU family. The goal of It’s On Us is to empower every person to be a powerful bystander against sexual violence, to support survivors and connect them to resources available on campus, and to promote a culture where sexual violence is never tolerated. October 22nd– 26th is TCU’s It’s On Us Week of Action during which there will be a screening and discussion of The Hunting Ground, a Dating Violence Escalation Workshop, a Student Development Services Leadership Seminar “Leadership in the Time of #MeToo”, and a Bystander Intervention Training for staff and faculty. According to the Campus Climate Title IX survey, the number of students on our campus who think they can do something about sexual violence increased by 22% from 2015 to 2018, and we are committed to ensuring that this number continues to increase.
The time to act is now. Now is the time to come together and support our TCU family with a unified and compassionate call to action. We must help connect our community with the resources that TCU has available to support survivors of sexual violence and those who have been indirectly affected. Below is a list of resources that are available, with designations between confidential resources and reporting options.
Please join us…it’s on all of us to stand up and stand against sexual violence!
President Abbey Widick for the Student Government Association
Chair Greg Stephens for the Faculty Senate
Chair Walter Betts for the Staff Assembly
TCU Resources
Title IX Campus Advocate- CARE Office (Campus Advocacy, Resources, and Education); Jarvis 124
(817)-257-5225, care.tcu.edu,Confidential Resource
Counseling and Mental Health Center; Samuelson Hall basement level
Walk in appointments available, (817) 257-7863, Confidential Resource
TCU Counseling Helpline (24 our confidential resource)
(817)-257-SAFE (7233)
Religious and Spiritual Life, Jarvis Hall 1stFloor
(817)-257-7830, Faith.tcu.edu
Campus Life, Sadler 2006
(817)-257-7926, campuslife.tcu.edu
TCU Police
(817)-257-7777
Fort Worth Resources
Women’s Center – Rape Crisis and Victim Service
(817)-927-2737
Fort Worth Police
911 or (817)-335-4222 (non-emergency line)
The PD also offers the Froggie Five-0 “Safe Walk” program and RAD self-defense classes
Safe Haven
(817)-701-7233
How to Report at TCU
Title IX Office; Jarvis Hall 2ndfloor
(817)-257-7000, titleix.tcu.edu
We also note that it is TCU’s policy that if a student contacts TCU police for the medical attention of a fellow student that drank too much or did too many drugs, there is no academic penalty for the student to get help.
Editor’s Note: What are your thoughts about diversity on campus or other big issues? TCU 360 wants to know! We are now accepting opinion columns for tcu360.com. If you are interested in having a piece published, send no more than 2 pages on your desired topic to editor@tcu360.com. We reserve the right to edit for brevity and style.
