On Monday, the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault released their first report. The report outlines four priorities:
- identifying the problem through campus climate surveys;
- preventing sexual violence and engaging men;
- responding when sexual violence occurs;
- improving federal enforcement, cooperation, and transparency.
There are many helpful clarifications in this text and steps in the right direction toward helpful resources, guidance, cooperation, and data to come.
This report makes it absolutely clear that prevention and engaging men is a national priority.
From the Executive Summary:
But one thing we know for sure: we need to engage men as allies in this cause. Most men are not perpetrators – and when we empower men to step in when someone’s in trouble, they become an important part of the solution.
And from the full report describing what they heard from listening sessions:
And there was another constant refrain: get men involved. Most men are not perpetrators – and when we empower men to speak up and intervene when someone’s in trouble, they become an important part of the solution.
Last night the White House released the PSA above with a simple and direct message:
If she doesn’t consent – or can’t consent – it’s a crime. And if you see it happening, help her, don’t blame her, speak up.
