How to prevent, respond to sexual violence

Five strategies for maintaining a safe environment for all at TU

By Pamela Gorsuch on April 22, 2024

clothesline project for sexual assault awareness
Students expressed sentiments and experiences related to sexual violence during this April's Clothesline Project. (Logan Schooley | Towson University)

Trigger warning: This story covers the topic of sexual violence, which may be disturbing to some readers. Contact the Office of Student Outreach & Support or the Counseling Center to access support and resources.

The RAINN statistics are gut-wrenching: more than one in 10 college students experience rape or sexual assault. Women, people of color and transgender individuals are at an even higher risk. As members of the campus community, each of us can influence the risk and protective factors for violence at TU. Read on for the five CDC-recommended strategies for preventing sexual violence, how they take shape on campus and how you can help make our environment safer for all.

Promote social norms that protect against violence

As a societal problem, sexual violence is best combatted by collective efforts. That’s why all TU students, faculty and staff receive mandatory sexual assault and harassment education. Training provided at student orientation and in campus residence halls gives students strategies for boundary setting, safe partying and bystander intervention to assist in recognizing and preventing sexual assault.

Understanding the nuances of consent is also key. Assistant Director of Health Education and Promotion Erica Lokshin explains that consent is defined in four parts. She uses the acronym ACOW to help members of the campus community remember each part.

“Consent must be active, coherent, ongoing and willing,” Lokshin. “We should be active and clear in specifically seeking consent; understand that it can only be given by those coherent and capable of providing it; seek consent with every act, every time; and ensure that it’s given freely and without pressure.”  

She works closely with TU’s sexual assault prevention educators (SAPE) and Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Educator (SHAPE) committee to offer workshops, tabling events and interactive games on consent, safe dating, intimate relationship skills and more. Workshops are available to student groups, classes and residence halls by request.

Learn and share skills to prevent sexual violence

Developing the skills to prevent, identify and communicate situations that don’t feel safe can reduce the risk of sexual violence. Students are advised to be especially mindful of alcohol consumption since intoxication makes it harder to recognize social cues in ourselves and those around us. Other party smart strategies include staying in groups and sticking to a predetermined number of drinks when going out. The TUPD also recommends downloading the free SaferMobility app, which enables students, faculty and staff to instant message or video chat TU police if they find themselves in an unsafe situation.

When witnessing unsafe behavior, practice the five Ds for effective bystander intervention:

  • Direct: Directly get involved. Use language like, “That’s not okay. Please stop.”
  • Distract: Disrupt the situation by taking someone to the bathroom or spilling a drink.
  • Delegate: If you don’t feel comfortable intervening, reach out to someone else who can help. This could include a resident assistant, TUPD officer, etc.
  • Delay: If it isn’t safe to intervene in the moment, touch base later to share your concerns and offer resources.
  • Document: If an unsafe situation is occurring or inappropriate pictures are being shared, take images or screenshots to share with the police.

“The statistics show these situations are happening,” Lokshin says. “So it’s about recognizing them and understanding the different actions you can take based on the circumstances you’re in.”

Create a more protective environment

Programs, policies and services can reduce the risk of sexual violence by creating a more protective campus environment. TU programs include:

In addition, TU’s Policy on Sexual Harassment and other Sexual Misconduct specifically prohibits sexual violence of any kind and outlines protections for survivors. While TU communicates the policy and programs annually, all members of the campus community are encouraged to share them proactively.

“It’s important to build awareness throughout the year, especially during the ‘Red Zone’ between mid-August and Thanksgiving break,” Lokshin says. “We know more than 50% of college sexual assaults occur during this period as students are adapting to new social environments and developing their friend groups.”

Show your support

National Denim Day

Held this Wed., April 24, National Denim Day is a day of action that brings awareness to the risk of sexual violence. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear denim to show their support.

Empower and support girls, women and the transgender community

The CDC also recommends strengthening leadership opportunities for groups disproportionately affected by sexual violence. Programs like H.E.R., GenderBlur and the women’s and LGBTQ+ faculty and staff associations can help individuals develop the self-advocacy skills that protect against sexual assault.

Speaking out can also be empowering. Earlier this month, the Clothesline Project invited students to express sentiments and experiences related to sexual violence on white T-shirts, which were later displayed at the entrance to Burdick Hall. The vast array of sentiments shown underscores that survivors are here on campus and that they are believed.  

Support survivors to lessen harm

Knowing the reporting tools and resources available to survivors enables students, faculty and staff to quickly support friends and colleagues in need.

Survivors are encouraged to report sexual violence to the TUPD at 410-704-4444 for criminal investigation, and/or report it to the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity (OIIE) for institutional investigation and support. The OIIE website offers details on what reporting involves and how TU will respond as well as video training on reporting sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.

Survivors can also connect with a variety of resources at the Health and Counseling centers, including emergency contraception, crisis support, help with decision-making and free 24/7 counseling. Free sexual assault forensic exams are available on a walk-in basis at GBMC, with no reporting or insurance required. TU’s Title IX coordinator in OIIE can help survivors arrange orders of no contact, academic adjustments and transportation assistance.

“We collaborate with departments across campus to get the survivor whatever support and resources they need,” says Patricia Bradley, vice president for the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity. “From securing emergency housing to accessing therapy or helping navigate legal processes, we’re here.”

Simple affirmations can also be incredibly helpful. If a survivor shares their experience, listen to them, validate their feelings and offer support.

 “Say ‘It’s not your fault; What do you need; I’m glad you told me,’” Lokshin says. “We think we have to say the perfect thing, but any words of support can be really powerful to those opening up about something that happened to them.”