The University of Iowa continues making progress toward meeting the goals outlined in president Sally Mason’s Six Point Plan to Combat Sexual Assault.

On Oct. 6, president Mason announced the UI is committing funding to support three prevention education specialist positions at the UI Women’s Resource & Action Center (WRAC) and the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP).

“The UI takes the issue of sexual assault very seriously, and there is absolutely no place for this crime on our campus,” says Mason. “The university is committed to doing everything in its power to prevent sexual violence, provide support to survivors, and hold offenders accountable. We will continue to address this problem and create a culture where sexual assault isn’t tolerated.”

The additional resources will afford WRAC the ability to add a new full-time prevention specialist position to its team, as well as increase another position from half-time to full-time. The positions will be used to help expand its Men’s Anti-Violence Council and partnerships with UI campus organizations, train students from athletics and fraternity and sorority life to be peer leaders, and educate faculty who want to integrate prevention education into their curriculum.

RVAP will also add a new full-time sexual violence prevention education position for the UI. The anticipated launch of the position is Nov. 1.

“We are very pleased with this tangible example of the university’s commitment to effecting change,” says Jennifer Carlson, executive director of RVAP. “This opportunity will greatly increase the capacity of RVAP to provide prevention education to UI students and continue our commitment to the elimination of sexual violence on our campus through education and cultural changes.“

“This shows tremendous dedication to reducing sexual assault from every perspective—from prevention to survivor support to engaging the community,” adds Linda Stewart Kroon, director of WRAC. “We’re very grateful for the funding, and I think this funding, coupled with all the other measures president Mason has implemented as part of her Six Point Plan, speaks volumes to her commitment to this issue.”

The recommendations to provide funding for the positions to enhance in-person training for sexual assault prevention education came from the UI’s Anti-violence Coalition Campus Education Subcommittee.

“These new resources will substantially increase our prevention education efforts and make a real difference on our campus,” says Tom Rocklin, vice-president for UI student life. “Finding ways to prevent sexual violence, support survivors, and hold offenders responsible continues to be a top priority.”

Since its announcement in February, the UI has made other substantial progress on implementing the Six Point Plan, which includes:

• Establishing its first-ever Sanctioning Guidelines for Sexual Assault
• Increasing funding for a specially trained nurse to consult with sexual-assault survivors
• Expanding Nite Ride service by adding a second vehicle and lengthening service from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week
• Creating a student advisory group, which advises president Mason on the impact of policies and practices, gathers input from other students, and monitors UI progress toward meeting its commitments for addressing sexual misconduct
• Implementing a new online, video-based training for first-year students aimed at reducing campus sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking