Brown U. implements new sexual harassment policy

By Kirsten Glavin

kglavin@abc6.com

@kirstenglavin

Sexual harassment and violence on college campuses has been a nation–wide problem, as of late.  The issue came to the forefront at Brown University in October of 2014.  Now, the university is taking action by implementing new policies, geared toward protecting its students.  The new policies were encouraged by the school’s sexual harassment task force.  The move follows a student protest that happened in March, for what some say was the school’s mishandling of a sexual assault case.

"We should be able to feel comfortable going out at night and walking home. But I’d say that I don’t,” said one Brown student. 

One of the actions included in the new policy, involves bringing in trained investigators to resolve complaints, not only fairly, but also faster, than what was done in previous years.

"I think it’s definitely a good idea because I know in years past actions haven’t really been taken,” said Cedric Kuakumensah, a student attending Brown. “And I think bringing in an outside source would really be a great step for the University."

Training for the new policies and procedures will be required by everyone on campus, and is already effective for the upcoming school year.
Freshman and first year students are now required to take online training, which explains sexual violence prevention and response.  Faculty and staff will do the same in October.

"Anything that’s going to give the students a stronger confidence in what’s going on with the University, and better relationships with the other students… I think anything like that is going to be good for the University as a whole,” said Phyllis Smith, a Treasury Manager at the Controls Office at Brown University. 

"It was a big deal last year,” said third-year Brown student, Jonathan Chang.  “There was that event last year and a lot of people were upset about how Brown handled it. (…) I’m happy to go along with the changes so long as it puts some other people in the community at ease."

For more information on the policy visit the Brown University website, here.

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