UW Task Force On Sexual Violence Meets Later This Month

A task force addressing sexual violence on University of Wisconsin campuses will be meeting later this month to strengthen campus policies on sexual assault.

The UW System has said that there were 285 sexual assaults reported on and off campus in 2012. The actual number of assaults is likely much higher, since so many go unreported.

As a way to drive down rape and sexual abuse cases involving students and staff, the UW System Task Force on Sexual Violence and Assault will be evaluating all its policies on the different campuses. The group will look at everything from complaint procedures to student conduct and discipline.

Task Force chairwoman Vicki Washington is the UW System’s associate vice president for inclusivity, diversity, equity, and student success. She said the work is a massive undertaking, and that ultimately, the task force wants to create policies that ensure campuses are safe learning and work environments.

“We don’t want to have any of our students feeling as if they’re in jeopardy as a consequence of one of our administrators or campuses handling their concerns or complaints,” said Washington.

Washington said the task force will likely take a close look at the White House’s recommendations on preventing campus sexual assaults issued earlier this year.

UW System President Ray Cross said schools have to be aggressive in tackling the issue.

“We hope there’s better training and education for campus staff so we handle that wisely,” said Cross. “We hope we do a better job of collaborating with local law enforcement so that’s done well and in a very seamless way.”

The UW System Task Force on Sexual Violence and Assault will have its first meeting by the end of the month.