Join our community in ending sexual violence

Sexual violence occurs all too often on college campuses across the nation. Ohio University is no exception. We have committed many resources to prevent future violence from occurring, and we continuously seek ways to increase our safety, support survivors, and ensure Ohio University leads in our effort to eradicate rape culture.

The resources listed on this page includes ways that we are working to eradicate rape culture on our campus, safety measures currently in place, and resources for support. We encourage every member of our community to join us in our efforts. You can be a part of the solution.

Prevention 

  • Bobcat Student Orientation sets expectations for behavior at OHIO including definitions of sexual assault and consent and discussions on how we hold students accountable who are found in violation of sexual misconduct.
  • All first-year students enrolled in Learning Communities will be going through the CHOICES program in the coming weeks, which provide additional information about consent, alcohol and bystander intervention.
  • The BRIDGES online sexual assault prevention and education module was introduced in 2017-18 for all faculty and staff at Ohio University.
  • The Campus Involvement Center's Health Promotion Office offers in-person prevention education, including bystander intervention and programming that disrupts rape myth acceptance and victim-blaming attitudes.
  • Bystander intervention is the only research-approved method to prevent sexual assaults on college campuses. We teach that if you see someone in need, there are ways you can safely intervene, including being direct when safe and able, creating a distraction, or by delegating to others when help is needed. Students can take Better Bystander training for more support.

 

Safety

  • Ohio University Police Department has increased patrols and is partnering with residence hall staff to hold conversations with students about safety.
  • CATS Late Night Shuttle Service is a free shuttle service offered to faculty/staff and students which now operates on an expanded timeframe on M-F 5:30 p.m. - 3 a.m. and Sat. 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. (That phone number is printed on the back of all student ID cards).
  • Improved lighting on campus and in surrounding areas within the city limits following walking tour last year with Student Senate.
  • The Ohio University Police Department offers Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Classes for students each semester and is working to add more classes. 
  • Blue Light Phones are located all across campus and along the bike path surrounding campus. In addition, there are emergency phones at the main entrances of each residence hall.
  • We are currently reviewing safety protocols for our residence halls with the Housing & Residence Life staff and Ohio University Police Department.
  • The City of Athens Police Department and the Ohio University Police Department have a mutual aid agreement and work tirelessly to address sexual assault in our community. 
  • All Ohio University Police Department detectives are FETI (Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview) trained. They investigate with a victim-centered approach. 

 

Support

  • Survivor Advocacy Program: Three full-time licensed professional social workers serve our students throughout the year. They have a crisis hotline that is available 24/7 at 740-597-SAFE (7233).
  • Counseling and Psychological Services: The staff at Counseling and Psychological Services are licensed, fully-confidential and support students 24/7 at 740-593-1616.
  • Campus Care: The Campus Care clinic, located on the 1st and 2nd floors of Hudson Hall, has trained, confidential clinicians who offer a wide range of services. The quick care clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • If a student wishes to report an incidence of sexual misconduct to the university, they can contact Equity and Civil Rights Compliance at 740-593-9140 or equity@ohio.edu.
  • If a student wishes to make a criminal report regarding sexual violence, for incidents occurring on campus, they can contact our Ohio University Police Department, 911 (emergency) or 740-593-1911, Scott Quad 135 or police@ohio.edu.
  • If a student wishes to make a criminal report regarding sexual violence for incidents occurring off-campus, they can contact the Athens Police Department: 9-1-1 (emergencies) or 740-592-3313.  

Confidential campus resources are available to support survivors:

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There is a growing movement across the Ohio University community to raise awareness of sexual violence on campus and to support survivors. To join in this movement by financially supporting efforts to prevent such incidents and address them when they occur, click here.

Published
September 7, 2018
Author
Staff reports