Students notified of sexual violence module

Beginning this year, students, faculty and staff will be required to complete an online training program regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence.

The Title IX Awareness and Violence Prevention Student program is a 30-minute module to be completed annually by UNC students.

In an email, Hilary Delbridge, a spokeswoman for UNC’s Equal Opportunity Office, said the program is the result of federal policy as well as a responsibility to promote student awareness and safety.

“The University is deeply committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for students,” she said. “We are working to implement the Title IX Awareness and Violence Prevention online educational course as part of this commitment and in compliance with federal guidance and legislation that continues to evolve.”

The module is divided into three subtopics: understanding and preventing discrimination, understanding and preventing violence and knowing your resources and remedies.

Desiree Rieckenberg, senior associate dean of students and a member of the sexual assault task force, said it is important for students to know violence and harassment is not tolerated.

She said the program enables students to identify those behaviors, while also providing them with resources and encouraging reporting.

Senior K.J. Moon said the program was very informative.

“I thought it was a really good program, and I learned a lot,” Moon said. “It was good to know more about what to do if a friend or yourself is sexually harassed or assaulted.”

Students can exit the module at any point and pick up where they left off. Delbridge said this resource will be at students’ fingertips at any time.

“The online format allows for the information in the course to be readily available to students even after they have completed the course,” she said.

The Equal Opportunity Office will offer live courses in prevention of sexual violence and discrimination, as well as education on Title IX.

Some students have already received notification of the online module in an email. According to the email notification, students must complete the online program within 30 days of receiving the email and are required to do so annually.

The selectivity of the email’s recipients has generated some confusion. Senior Allie Darby said she received the email but has not completed the program yet.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal since none of my friends got the email,” Darby said.

Delbridge said she is confident the course will increase knowledge about the resources available on-campus.

“This course is among many important components of a larger effort at the University to eliminate, prevent, and address the effects of discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, including sexual violence, stalking, and interpersonal violence.”

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