1. Coming Together to Address Campus Sexual Assault: A Statewide Initiative
Frank Merckx, Drew University
Bette M. Simmons, County College of Morris Corlisse Thomas, Rutgers University - Newark
Monday, March 5, Convention Center, ROOM 115-C

2. Introductions and Background Why This is Important Results of Our Work What We Learned

3. Why is This Important. Sexual violence on college campuses. CLERY Act
Why is This Important? Sexual violence on college campuses CLERY Act Dear Colleague Letter Not Alone Report Title IX

4. Governor’s Task Force Charge to the Task Force It shall be the duty of the task force to study and evaluate current policies and practices concerning campus sexual assault, to identify problems and areas for improvement, and to make recommendations concerning campus sexual assault prevention, response, and awareness.  The task force shall: 1. Gather information from the public institutions of higher education and from a sample of independent institutions of higher education in the State regarding their policies and procedures for addressing campus sexual assault, and review and evaluate those policies and procedures; 2. Review current New Jersey and federal laws regarding campus sexual assault; 3. Review and evaluate existing research and literature, including any national best practices, professional standards, or guidelines, regarding the prevention of, and response to, incidents of campus sexual assault; 4. Consult with, and evaluate testimony from, campus sexual assault survivors and advocates who provide support services to campus sexual assault survivors; and 5. Develop and issue recommendations and guidelines concerning campus sexual assault in New Jersey, including recommendations regarding sexual assault prevention and awareness, and recommendations regarding protocols for responding to reports of campus sexual assault and providing victim support services.

5. Governor’s Task Force Charge to the Task Force The task force shall issue a final report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52: ), no later than one year after the task force organizes.  The report shall contain the task force’s findings and recommendations concerning campus sexual assault.

6. 12-Member Task Force – includes state representatives, sexual assault advocates, representatives from all higher education sectors, members of public Secretary of Education Deputy Attorney General Assistant Commissioner of Division on Women in the Department of Children and Family Representative from Montclair State University (Co-Chair) Representative from Rutgers University - Newark Representative from County College of Morris Representative of Drew University Representative of the NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault (Co-Chair) Public members appointed Senate and Assembly leaders (1 had to be a sexual assault survivor) Secretary designated her role to two staff members Attorney; CEO of YWCA Bergen County; representative from American Association of University Women Dr. Sarah McMahon – Associate Professor and Associate Director of Center on Violence Against Women and Children – Rutgers

7. Established research process – guest speakers, research articles, interviews with experts and students VAWA/DCL – Jackie Moran, Rutgers Clery – Alison Kiss, Clery Center Campus Climate Surveys – Sarah McMahon Student Affairs Professionals from NJIT; College of Saint Elizabeth; Montclair State University; Raritan Valley Community College Victims Rights Advocates Prosecutors and Campus Law Enforcement representatives Attorneys representing the accused Alcohol educators

8. Student Focus Group Student Government reps and/or student advocates from all NJ schools What does your college or university do for education of new and returning students? Is this timing of education right? How much time do you receive in education? Are there barriers to reporting incidents? How should your institution respond to incidents? What do you want the legislators to know?

9. Lessons Learned from Testimonies Highly educated practitioners in field of sexual assault often do not have a full understanding of collegiate life Title IX coordinators are not seen as impartial One bad relationship with a nonprofit partner can damage things for years Prosecutors get it, but also don’t Our language choices clearly set up some challenging walls (victim, survivor, C/R) Confidential reporting structures and where to find service Must have a community ethos towards training process advocates or assistants, this must not be tilted in one way or another Trauma informed responders are needed for all parties Assumptions around alcohol, simply going dry Few understand student conduct processes; few understand that we are professionals

10. Lessons Learned from Testimonies US K-12 school systems are not teaching consent; international challenges expand this lack of basic education coming into college Commuting students and non-traditional age students often are outside of on-going training Dialogue on campus must be open and continuous Must connect to resources in a way that makes sense (e.g., 70% of students from New Jersey list all agencies on your website) Cultural change must come from students

11. Report Highlights and Best Practices Early Education – must start in K – 12 System Campus Climate Surveys with Action Plans Services for the Survivor Services for the Accused Investigation and Adjudication – separate investigators from adjudicators Prevention Coordinating with Community Agencies Education and Training Relationship between Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Confidential reporting structures and where to find service

12. Report Highlights and Best Practices Ensuring protection of students’ rights and equal representation for both complainant and respondent Campus culture and norms Connecting Campus Sexual Assault with other issues Varying levels of capacity and resources Whole community, including students should be involved in drafting legislation Importance of diverse representations to carry on conversations Accurate education on law enforcement and what are options and possible outcomes (to create a focus on national headlines versus state nuisances) No evidence of banning alcohol on campus as a tool for sexual assault elimination MOUs with law enforcement and nonprofit agencies

13. Lessons Learned We must do a better job of informing our communities and policy makers of what we do. There is much confusion on the role of alcohol. Lobby groups may become impotent on the topic based on what else is going on. There is so much talent on our campuses, we have to use them. We need to engage ourselves with the process. Who on our campuses does government relations and how can you connect with them? Who in your state is an expert? Develop a group of professionals in your state that can easily respond. Always be aware of the privilege in which you bring. Enter into this work with a servant heart and a mind eager to learn; you know a lot, but others will be able to teach you. Know that it will never end (current bills such as bill codifying the DCL of 2011 and Q & As of 2014, which includes reporting; bill to establishing a standing commission and task force

14. THANK YOU! To find the Task Force report Google: New Jersey Campus Sexual Assault Task Force Questions, Comments, Feedback

15. Thank you for joining us today!
Please remember to complete your online evaluation following the conference.
See you in Los Angeles in 2019!