GW to Implement New Sexual Assault Prevention Training

Online and in-person sessions will take place during Colonial Inauguration and Welcome Week.

April 19, 2015

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The George Washington University announced Friday that it will implement new sexual assault prevention training for incoming freshmen and graduate students beginning in summer 2015.

The training is part of the university’s comprehensive efforts to raise awareness and give students tools to help prevent sexual assault, as well as to provide resources for victims and GW policies for complaint resolutions.

The new training was announced in a joint statement by Terri Harris Reed, vice provost for diversity and inclusion, and Peter Konwerski, vice provost and dean of student affairs. They said the new training will begin during Colonial Inauguration when students will be expected to attend 30-minute sessions during floor meetings. That will be followed by a new mandatory online training module for incoming undergraduate and graduate students later in the summer and mandatory in-person sessions during Welcome Week. 

“Our strategy has been and will continue to be having a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to sexual assault awareness education,” Dr. Reed and Dr. Konwerski said in their statement. “This summer we will continue this approach with some new offerings.”

George Washington President Steven Knapp met with representatives from GW Students Against Sexual Assault (SASA) Friday afternoon to confirm the university’s implementation of these sessions.

"The university has continued to affirm its commitment to working on this important issue and educating students about sexual assault," said GW Students Against Sexual Assault co-president Ariella Neckritz.

Staff and experts across the university, including in the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Diversity and Inclusion, have worked in collaboration with students, student leaders and student organizations to explore every available avenue for preventing campus sexual assault.

In March, GW students voted on a referendum that asked whether they supported a standalone Colonial Inauguration session on sexual violence education. About 92 percent of students voting supported the idea.

“We are excited about the robust and rigorous enhancements to our already well-regarded efforts and commitment to prevent sexual assault in our community and are pleased that GW students continue to show interest in exploring every available option for preventing campus sexual assault,” the statement said.

 “In the months to come, we will continue to work with various campus partners to develop the programmatic content of our education and outreach, including outlining the best mechanisms for tracking participation.”