TO THE EDITOR:
We want to clarify the Sept. 25 article students seeking help after sexual violence. The article describes a system in which RAs must report sexual assault disclosures to the deputy Title IX coordinator, incorrectly characterizing the system and spirit of the university’s response.
Instead of “mandatory reporting,” we are building a system which enables us to consistently offer help and assistance to any and all students who disclose their experiences of victimization. All forms of sexual violence can have significant effects on students, staff and faculty, including physical and emotional trauma, ongoing health problems and challenges related to academic success. We take sexual violence seriously and are working to continue to improve UNC’s response systems and adjudication efforts.
As a university community, we have a responsibility to our students to connect them to resources that can help them heal, such as Counseling & Psychological Services. We have a responsibility to accommodate students and help them fulfill their academic commitments. We have a responsibility to prevent future acts of harassment, discrimination and violence from occurring within our community.
To that end, certain people on campus — including employees who are charged with a significant responsibility for student welfare and are representing the institution — have a responsibility to connect students to a place where they can hear all of their options.
When students are fully informed of all their options, they can decide for themselves if they want to make a report about what happened to them or seek other support. Students remain in the driver’s seat and can choose what they want to do next. Our whole campus can work together to prevent all forms of violence and discrimination, and we can create a safe community for everyone.
Christi Hurt
Interim Title IX Coordinator
Ew Quimbaya-Winship
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
