Clarion University is proud to join the White House, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and universities and companies around the country in furthering the effort to end sexual assault on college campuses by officially signing on to the "It's On Us PA" campaign. The April 4 signing coincides with the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The "It's On Us" initiative is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way communities think and talk about the issue of sexual assault by inviting everyone to hold themselves and each other accountable. The campaign seeks to reframe the conversation surrounding sexual assault in a way that empowers, educates and engages college students to do something to prevent it.
Pennsylvania is the first state to launch a statewide "It's On Us" campaign, and Clarion University is proud to be a part of it. As a whole, "It's On Us PA" engages education leaders, from school superintendents to college presidents, as well as students, teachers, faculty, staff, civic leaders, families and communities to make a personal and public pledge to play a role in preventing, addressing, and responding effectively to sexual violence.
"Clarion University is deeply committed to ensuring, to the greatest extent possible, the safety of every Clarion University student," said Clarion President, Dr. Karen Whitney. "The 'It's On Us' campaign is a national campaign that we wholeheartedly join to prevent sexual assault."
Sexual violence is the most prevalent and underreported crime at colleges and universities, affecting an estimated one in five women and one in 20 men during their time on campus. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students are even more likely to experience sexual harassment and violence and are less likely to come forward and report to authorities.
Sexual violence has significant costs and consequences for individuals as well as entire communities. A recent study indicates that women who are sexually assaulted before or during their first semester of college are significantly more likely to have lower GPAs than their peers. While many survivors will share their experience with a trusted friend or peer, very few (only one in 10) report their experience in a formal way to school administrators, campus officials or law enforcement.
Together, "It's On Us PA" and Clarion University are committed to changing this aspect of campus culture. Similar to the national "It's On Us" campaign, "It's On Us PA" strives to improve awareness, prevention, reporting and response systems, effectively removing and reducing the barriers that often prevent student survivors from seeking help. Pennsylvania and Clarion University vow to demonstrate significant, proactive and sustainable leadership to make a meaningful and lasting change.
To take the pledge to be part of the solution, please visit www.ItsOnUs.org.