Ongoing Work

Summary of Georgetown University’s Recent Enhancements and Ongoing Work to Address Sexual Assault and Misconduct

Georgetown addresses the issue of sexual misconduct through a combination of educational programs, policies, and resources that are constantly being enhanced. Georgetown has a long history of providing a “safety net” of health professionals, response mechanisms, and services to support students who are struggling with complex personal issues. Supporting survivors/victims of sexual misconduct has long been a part of this network. Georgetown has developed educational programs to address issues of sexual misconduct and these programs are delivered throughout the academic year in various settings. University policies and codes of conduct address expectations and consequences related to sexual misconduct.

Georgetown has had staffing focused on sexual misconduct issues for more than two decades, with a full-time Sexual Assault Coordinator (now “Director of Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Services”) since 1997 and a part-time Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Liaison at the Law Center since 2009. Georgetown has seven Deputy Title IX Coordinators, including deputies for undergraduate main campus students, graduate students, the Law Center, the School of Medicine, the School of Continuing Studies, faculty and staff, and Georgetown University in Qatar, who support both survivors/victims of sexual misconduct and those accused. Deputies are responsible for responding to alleged incidents of sexual misconduct and ensuring the safety of individuals and the campus community. The Sexual Assault Working Group, comprised of students, faculty, and staff, worked on an ongoing basis for more than two decades to improve policies, review services for students, and promote educational outreach.

COMMITTEE AND TEAM WORK

Sexual Assault and Misconduct Climate Surveys: In Spring 2024, the University launched its third Sexual Assault and Misconduct Climate Survey along with 11 other schools convened by the Association of American Universities (AAU). The survey was distributed to the entire student population (not including the Georgetown University-Qatar campus). The survey allows us to examine the prevalence and incidence of sexual assault in our community, attitudes among students about our campus climate, and knowledge and awareness of available university resources. To promote participation, the University sponsored a marketing and email campaign that lasted for the survey’s five-week duration. The results will enable the University to assess the impact of recommendations and new programming implemented after the first two student-wide survey distributed in 2016 and 2019.

Title IX Ambassadors Initiative: The Office of Title IX Compliance launched a new student initiative in the fall 2021 which provides undergraduate and graduate students with a unique opportunity to positively influence campus climate and culture through the design, development, facilitation, and assessment of workshops, programs, and training aimed at awareness-raising and the prevention of sexual misconduct. Ambassadors hosted a series of trainings and facilitated dialogues with community members, including through partnerships with Residential Assistants (RAs). It is intended to be an extension of the educational environment and an opportunity to work on an issue that affects men and women, not only on Georgetown’s campus, but globally. This program will continue for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Sexual Assault Peer Educators (SAPE): Sexual Assault Peer Educators (SAPE) is a student-led organization on campus dedicated to raising awareness about interpersonal violence through peer. Centering intersectionality, SAPE strives to foster nuanced dialogue around consent and healthy relationships.

Deputy Title IX Coordinator Retreat: The Office of Title IX Compliance hosts all Deputy Title IX Coordinators for the Deputy Title IX Coordinator Retreat. The Retreat is designed to provide opportunities for the Deputy Title IX Coordinators to get together, discuss processes and procedures, identify common themes and trends, ask questions, and learn from each other. The Retreat also consisted of sessions with key campus partners including the Office of Student Outreach and Support (SOS), Office of Student Conduct, Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA), and Office of General Counsel. The Title IX office will continue hosting this Retreat on a regular basis in the future. 

DMV Title IX Working Group: The University’s Title IX office joined the newly formed DMV Title IX Working Group which brings together Title IX and related staff from schools across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas to discuss ongoing trends, learn from one another’s experiences, and discuss how the 2020 and 2024 Title IX regulations impact their respective communities. 

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Mini Sexual Misconduct Awareness Campaign: Beginning in Fall 2016, as students return to campus each fall, they arrive to posters, flyers, sandwich boards, and digital screens highlighting data from the Sexual Assault and Misconduct Climate Surveys and relevant resources. 

 “How to Get Help” Document: In Spring 2017, the Office of Strategic Communications and the Office of Title IX Compliance created a comprehensive guide to accessing support on and off- campus for main campus students. The front side of this document is designed as a tool to help a student navigate the resources available, and the reverse side shares detailed information about all of the resources. This guide also clarifies which roles on campus are confidential, semi-confidential, and non-confidential. This document serves as a starting reference point if a student is unsure what supports are available (or needed) and how to access them. An updated version was released in spring 2019, fall 2020, and fall 2023.

Title IX Office Hours:  Starting in Spring 2017, the Office of Title IX Compliance began hosting office hours in student spaces and through partnerships with student organizations and affiliate offices. The goal was to raise awareness about the Office of Title IX Compliance and to offer an opportunity for students to get to know the University’s Title IX Coordinator and the University’s Title IX Investigator in a comfortable environment. Office Hours have since been held with many different departments, centers, and communities, including the LGBTQ Resource Center, Women’s Center, the Black House, Casa Latina, and the Center for Student Engagement (CSE). This project will continue in future academic years.

Mandatory Bystander Intervention Training: Beginning in fall 2017, a multi-hour bystander intervention training entitled Bringing in the Bystander has been required for all incoming first year undergraduate and transfer students. Led by Health Education Services, bystander intervention training combats sexual misconduct by teaching students and other individuals how to safely intervene in concerning situations. The University launched a new bystander program entitled U Got This! which was used to train students in spring 2022. In person and virtual bystander training resumed in fall 2022, and will continue moving forward.  

Additional Training for Georgetown University Police Department’s Sexual Assault Response Team: In spring 2018, GUPD’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) officers completed a two-day offsite training hosted by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. This training focused on responding to sexual assault and trauma on college campuses. Beginning in 2019, GUPD trains all of its officers on the Clery Act, Title IX mandated reporting, and Sexual Assault Response for Officers. This training includes PowerPoint training, question and answer, and scenario-based training. The SART members also receive 4 hours of Forensic Experiential Trauma Interviewing Training, Safety Planning Guidance Training, and Internal and External Resource Training.  Every new SART officer receives 40+ hours of End Violence Against Women International training online, and 4 hours of one-on-one training with the SART Coordinator to get them familiar with campus resources and reporting options, external resources, LGBTQ+ survivor considerations, stalking awareness, and Title IX training. 

New Mandatory Training for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at the Law Center: In fall 2022 and spring 2024, the Title IX Coordinator and IDEAA team conducted training for all DPS officers regarding sexual harassment and misconduct; reporting; providing support and information on resources; and bystander intervention strategies.

DVAM Programming: Beginning in October of 2021, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), the University compiled a list of virtual events sponsored by local and national organizations, providing opportunities to get involved, learn more, and help raise awareness.

SAAM Programming: In collaboration with key campus partners, including Health Education Services, the Women’s Center, and the Georgetown University Police Department, the Title IX and IDEAA offices assisted in planning events in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April 2022, 2023, and 2024. Those efforts will continue annually.

Mandatory Online Education: All undergraduate, transfer, and students in the graduate and law schools are required to complete mandatory sexual assault and misconduct online education. For undergraduates, this requirement also includes the mandatory in-person bystander training course.

Additional Training for Main Campus Faculty (Refresher Training): Throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, the University’s Title IX and Deputy Title IX Coordinators trained approximately 25 departments, to remind faculty of their mandatory reporting responsibilities; resources for students; and formal complaint options. 

ONLINE UPGRADES

Campus Climate Newsletters: As part of the University’s response to the Black Survivors Coalition (BSC), Georgetown releases periodic newsletters on the campus climate in collaboration with key campus partners. As part of each newsletter, the Office of Title IX Compliance shares updates and important information, including recent announcements, upcoming events, training opportunities, and reiterating how to access support and resources.

Federal Title IX Regulations: Beginning in summer 2020, information on the Department of Education’s federal Title IX Regulations was added to the Title IX and Sexual Misconduct website. This webpage includes information on the 2020 Title IX regulations as well as the 2024 Title IX regulations .The website also includes information on the University’s current sexual misconduct policies and procedures; the University’s historical comments to the Department of Education; the University’s community messages regarding the regulations; and information on the Title IX regulations working groups.

Preventing and Responding to Clerical Sexual Abuse: New in summer 2021, the University launched a new webpage dedicated to preventing and responding to clerical sexual abuse. This webpage contains information on the University’s history in addressing clerical sexual abuse, as well as how individuals can report, access supportive services, and review educational resources. This website is updated periodically in consultation with the University’s Support Coordinator, an individual designated to provide additional support and resources for survivors of clergy abuse, with the goal of assisting individuals in their healing process. 

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Website Key Hyperlinks Table: Co-developed with students, the Title IX office released the Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Website Key Hyperlinks Table, a new resource guide for community members. This table provides an overview of the key links to resources and information from the University’s sexual misconduct website.

Title IX Decals: New in spring 2020, Title IX decals were created for key campus partners to display in their offices, outside of their offices, in their spaces, etc., to clearly communicate their confidentiality status under Title IX. The decals include “confidential resource,” “semi-confidential resource,” and “non-confidential resource,” and are available as stickers or in digital format.

Title IX News and Updates: New in spring 2020, the Title IX News and Updates webpage was created to keep students and community members informed of news, updates, and developments related to Title IX and the Title IX office.