WHAT: Student and campus organizations leading the charge against sexual assault at the University of Iowa will host the “It’s On Us:" Sexual Violence Education Summit.

The  two-part event designed to bring together campus and community members, military leaders, and experts to discuss ongoing efforts and best practices in raising awareness and preventing sexual assault and other interpersonal violence in our communities. The first half of the event will feature keynote speakers Maj. Gen. Paul M. Benenati, Deputy Commander for Support, First Army; and YouTube and MTV personality Laci Green. The summit will also offer the opportunity to attend one of four breakout sessions designed to engage participants in awareness and prevention education surrounding gender violence.

The free event is open to all UI students, staff, and faculty, as well as community members.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 22

 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Schedule: 10:20 a.m. – Brig. Gen. Benenati

                 11 a.m. – Laci Green

                 2 p.m. – Breakout sessions begin

WHERE: Iowa Memorial Union, Second Floor Ballroom, 125 N Madison St., Iowa City

MORE INFORMATION: Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact Megan Schorr in advance at  319-335-1486.

BACKGROUND: Student organizations at the UI are leading the campus’ involvement in the nationwide “It’s On Us” campaign, a White House initiative aimed at helping put an end to sexual assault on college campuses. 

The “It’s On Us” Summit Planning Committee includes representatives from the following: Athletics, the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, Dean of Students, Department of Public Safety, Military and Veteran Student Services, Military Sciences, RVAP, ROTC, Residence Education, the Student Advisory Committee on Sexual Misconduct, Student Health & Wellness, the Women’s Resource and Action Center, and other campus and community partners.

Earlier in the academic year, student organizations held an “It’s On Us” pledge drive encouraging the campus community to take a stand against sexual assault—gathering 883 student, faculty and staff signatures.

The UI is committed to preventing sexual violence, providing support to survivors, and holding offenders accountable. There is absolutely no place for this crime on campus and the university is making progress, though it recognizes there is much more to be done.

Since announcing the Six Point Plan to Combat Sexual Assault in February 2014, the UI has made substantial progress on implementation, which includes:

• Establishing UI’s 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
• Increasing training for campus judicial administrators, law enforcement,and other campus responders
• Enhancing sexual assault prevention by having three full-time violence prevention education specialists dedicated to campus  outreach assault prevention education
• The UI Police Department has developed and posted a sexual assault response guarantee for survivors