Sexual Assault and Interpersonal Violence Prevention, Education, and Resources
Sexual Assault Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Programs
Miami University engages in comprehensive, intentional, and integrated programming intended to respond to and prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking that:
- Is culturally relevant, inclusive of diverse communities and identities, sustainable, responds to community needs, and is informed by research or assessed for value, effectiveness, or outcome.
- Considers environmental risk and protective factors as they occur to the individual, relationship, institutional, community, and societal levels.
Educational programming consists of primary prevention and awareness programs for all incoming students and new employees and ongoing awareness and prevention campaigns for students and employees that:
- Identify sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking as prohibited conduct.
- Define using definitions provided by the Department of Education, state law, and/or Code of Conduct, what behavior and actions constitute consent to sexual activity in the State of Ohio and explain consent using the Code of Student Conduct.
- Provide a description of safe and positive options for bystander intervention. Bystander intervention means safe, effective, and positive options that may be carried out by an individual or individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of harm, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. Bystander intervention includes recognizing situations of potential harm, evaluating the situation and options, and deciding what intervention is appropriate. Refer to Bystander Intervention and Risk Reduction Information for more details
- Describe risk-reduction options. Risk reduction means options designed to decrease perpetration and bystander inaction and to increase empowerment for victims in order to promote safety and to help individuals and communities address conditions that facilitate violence. Refer to Bystander Intervention and Risk Reduction Information for more details
- Raise awareness of prohibitive behavior and/or consent and healthy relationships. Awareness programs are those programs that raise awareness of the various offenses, behaviors, and/or prosocial behaviors in regard to prevalence, statistics, normative information, options, resources, services, or other areas of interest/concern.
- Encourage primary prevention. Primary prevention programs are designed to prevent an offense from occurring. Such programs could include information regarding consent, healthy relationships, and positive prosocial behavior.
- Connect with Miami’s ongoing prevention awareness campaign. The ongoing prevention awareness campaign is unifying, continuing the theme with the goal of preventing and raising awareness of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Miami’s campaign was discussed and developed in 2013 and 2014, with the implementation of the ongoing campaign in the fall of 2014.
Miami University has developed an annual educational campaign consisting of presentations that include the distribution of educational materials to new students; and participating in and presenting information and materials during new employee orientation.
Primary Programming
Prior to the Start of School
All first-time incoming students on all campuses are required to take Haven: Understanding Sexual Assault. This online education program is designed to use a population-level approach to educate all students on the issues associated with sexual assault and interpersonal violence, taking into account their unique perspectives and experiences. Students are required to complete this program by the first day of classes. To ensure all students complete the program, a hold is placed on their second-semester registration.
All Residence Life staff, including professional staff and resident assistants, receive training not only on responding to sexual and interpersonal violence but also on what resources are available for prevention, education, risk reduction, and awareness.
Orientation
Incoming students and families at orientation receive two presentations focused on relevant student issues and concerns, including such topics as alcohol, sexual assault, interpersonal violence issues, inclusion, and respect. New students also attend debriefings with staff and SOULS (Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders) on topics relevant to college transitions. Since 2012, each new student also receives an emergency contact magnet, which lists the phone numbers, emails, and/or websites for university and community resources (e.g., local rape crisis/domestic violence hotline, local hospital, University Student Counseling Service, university police).
Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders (SOULs) continue to facilitate small group discussions with new students after the Community Expectations session, and all new students continue to receive emergency contact cards with important contact numbers. Our efforts are designed to make it clear that the University takes sexual and interpersonal violence seriously and promises to treat those who report such crimes with respect and dignity.
Start of the School Year
Personal safety and responsibility are among the reminders mentioned in the Dean of Students’ letter that is disseminated to all students before classes start each semester.
Programming is available upon request to student groups, classes, residence hall corridors, organizations, classes, and others throughout the year.
For off-campus students, volunteer employees and town residents perform walkabouts before classes start, personally delivering information that includes topics of safety and alcohol.
The Miami University Police Department brings together multiple resources and support services in a Campus Safety Fair in September. This fair is open to all students, faculty, and staff.
Residence Hall Resources
Residence hall safety begins with the existence of resident assistants (RAs) on duty, electronic door locks, an escort policy, and outside doors being alarmed and programmed to sound if they are propped open.
- All residence life staff, including RAs and professional staff, receive information and training on sexual and interpersonal violence awareness, response, and resources, Title VI, Title IX, and Clery Act reporting obligations.
- On an annual basis, Residence Life staff, graduate assistants, and RAs engage in “Behind Closed Doors,” which is an interactive role-playing training experience that simulates “real life” scenarios related to issues involving sexual and interpersonal violence, Title IX, Clery Act, and Title VI.
- All residential students receive the “Staying Safe on Campus” information sheet, which includes tips for staying safe on campus, how to and when to contact the Miami University Police Department, as well as campus resources including: the emergency text messaging system, resources related to sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination, and the Rave Guardian App.
- On an annual basis, all staff and students receive electronic information from the Division of Student Life that includes information about sexual and interpersonal violence prevention, as well as how to file a complaint and what to expect from the University.
- RAs review the “Staying Safe on Campus” information sheet in their first corridor meeting.
- Each residential unit is required to provide interactive programming on alcohol awareness (one program in the fall semester and one in the spring) and sexual assault and interpersonal violence (one each semester).
- When RAs are on duty and safety issues or concerns are brought to their attention they are trained to respond safely and effectively to all reports, including incidents of sexual and interpersonal violence.
[Abbreviations for prohibitive behaviors in tables: SA- Sexual Assault; DoV- Domestic Violence; DaV- Dating Violence; S- Stalking; and prosocial behaviors in tables: C- Consent; HR- Healthy Relationships; B- Bystander]
| Program | Date | Location | Prohibitive Behavior Covered | Prosocial Behavior Reinforced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Employee Title IX & Duty to Report Training | continuous, upon hire | virtual | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| Title IX New Faculty Orientation | 8/2023 | Marcum Center | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| Program | Date | Location | Prohibitive Behavior Covered | Prosocial Behavior Reinforced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title IX for New RAs | 1/19/2023 | Bachelor Hall | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| RA Title IX/Duty to Report Training | 8/15/2023 | Bachelor Hall | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| Graduate Assistant Title IX/Duty to Report Training | 8/21/2023 | virtual | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| NROTC Title IX Training | 8/24/2023 | Millett Hall | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
Ongoing Programming
Miami provides a variety of prevention programming including prevention, awareness, advocacy, risk reduction, bystander, initiatives, campaigns, and others. By offering a variety of programs, Miami strives to create an environment and culture that is safe for all community members and is respectful of all individuals as we work together to respond to and prevent sexual and interpersonal violence.
Campus Wide-Initiatives
As part of our ongoing programming, Miami has several ongoing campus-wide initiatives that unify programs, departments, and campuses.
It’s On Us
- Launched in the spring of 2015, Miami joined with national and state efforts partnering in the It’s On Us campaign and now has a campus chapter.
- It’s On Us is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think about sexual assault.
- It’s On Us is a rallying cry inviting everyone to step up and realize that the solution begins with us. It’s a declaration that sexual assault is not only a crime committed by a perpetrator against a victim but a societal problem in which all of us have a role to play. We are reframing sexual assault in a way that inspires everyone to see it as their responsibility to do something, big or small, to prevent it. We are asking everyone to create an environment, be it a residence hall, a party, a club, a sports team, or the greater college campus, where sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.
I Am Miami
- Based on Miami’s Code of Love and Honor, “I am Miami” is the phrase we use to define the culture to which we aspire and who we are as Miamians. Our students are encouraged to reflect on the important individual choices they make at Miami, choices that extend far beyond academics (and academic integrity) and into other dimensions of wellness and personal responsibility that have huge implications for both their short-term safety and their long-run success.
- Born of the Task Force for the Prevention of Sexual Assault, I Am Miami defines Miami as a community that cares for each other and our community.
Step Up!
- The Division of Student Life, through the Office of Student Wellness, offers bystander intervention training to student groups including fraternity and sorority organizations to make students aware of the importance of safely and effectively intervening when they see dangerous or unacceptable behavior.
- Step Up! is based on a national program adopted by more than 120 colleges and universities nationwide. It has demonstrated success in helping students feel empowered to act and giving them a specific process and resources to intervene in a safe, early, effective way in situations that could endanger the health and safety of others. Miami has already received emails and correspondence from students who have shared powerful stories about using what they’ve learned in earlier training sessions to help someone. First-year students enrolled in First Year Experience receive Step Up! training as part of the course requirements, and new members in fraternities and sororities receive Greeks Step Up! training as part of the new member education experience. Requests from other student organizations and classes to present Step Up! occur throughout the year.
Peer Education
HAWKS Peer Health Educators
- Miami’s Health Advocates for Wellness Knowledge and Skills (HAWKS) Peer Health Educators provide programming on healthy relationships, safe sex, sexual and interpersonal violence, and other wellness topics throughout the year. The mission of HAWKS is to actively engage students to consider important issues related to their health and wellness by presenting factual, relevant information that encourages them to honestly, realistically, and thoroughly reflect on their lifestyle and to help them make free and healthy choices. Requested programming includes: “Sex in the Basement”, “Sexperts”, "Understanding Sexual and Interpersonal Violence”, “Can I Kiss You: Date Safe Project”, and "Escalation".
Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention Peer Educators
- The SIV Peer Educators teach their peers and host events on the following topics: sexual violence, domestic violence, healthy relationships, sexual health, consent, and survivor support.
Advocacy and Awareness
- The Miami Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, in addition to providing a welcoming, safe space for all genders and a space for learning about women's and gender issues, offers many resources and programming. Annually, the Women's Initiatives raises awareness and education through The Clothesline Project. The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion provides a protocol for interns to respond to calls or walk-ins related to sexual and interpersonal violence, for the last two years this intern protocol has been reviewed by the Title IX Coordinator.
- Miami University Police will speak to student corridors or groups about personal safety and offer fee-based self-defense classes.
- The Dennis L. Carlson Sexuality Education Studies Center partners with campus, local, and national entities to provide critically informed sexuality education pedagogy and praxis that is research supported, evidence-based, culturally aware, medically accurate, chronologically and developmentally relevant, and encouraging of personal agency for discourse, access, and ownership of sexual health and wellness and pleasure.
Clothesline Project
- The Clothesline Project addresses the issue of violence against women. It is a vehicle for individuals affected by violence to express and empower themselves by decorating a shirt. Traditionally, survivors hang the shirt on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women. In 2022 this event was moved to a virtual format on YouTube in response to survivor complaints that the display was triggering. Moving the event to a virtual format allows past students to have their voices heard and for current and future students to opt in to see the Clothesline Project if they choose. This event is part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion - Women's Initiatives. The event is considered confidential.
Take Back the Night
- Take Back the Night is a march against rape and sexual assault meant to empower the women of Miami University. Before the march, The F Word (Feminists Working on Real Democracy, a student group) facilitates speakouts that allow students, faculty, staff, and community members to share their stories (if they wish) in a small group setting. This event occurs once per academic year and is sponsored by The F Word. The event is considered confidential.
Denim Day
- Denim Day occurs in Sexual Assault Awareness Month when individuals are encouraged to wear denim to raise awareness that it doesn’t matter what someone is wearing, sexual assault is a crime and never the fault of the victim
SIVEO Suite
- Located in the Clinical Health Sciences and Wellness Building, the Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Education and Outreach Suite is an extension of the Office of Student Wellness. The SIVEO Suite serves as a central place for advocacy, prevention programming, and survivor support. Staff include the Office of Student Wellness Assistant Director for Sexual Assault Prevention and the Women Helping Women (WHW) victim advocate. The WHW victim advocate is a confidential reporting option for students who have experienced sexual or interpersonal violence. The SIVEO Suite seeks to support student organizations committed to raising awareness about gender-based violence and creating a community for survivors.
Targeted Audiences
Athletics
- Intercollegiate Athletics provides sexual and interpersonal violence awareness, prevention, and risk education annually to all athletes, coaches, and staff in partnership with HAWKS Peer Health Educators.
- Every team meets with HAWKS annually for more specific programming geared toward that team’s specific needs, be it alcohol education, identifying risk-taking behaviors, counseling, etc.
- Every team meets with NCAA compliance staff at the beginning of the year for NCAA rules education, and trained staff also provide education on resources regarding where to go and who they can talk to, both confidential and non-confidential.
- The athletic academic support staff office displays materials for sexual and interpersonal violence awareness and resources in the lobby area for student-athletes and staff.
Fraternities and Sororities
- Social Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities must adhere to adapted risk management strategies including that “No fraternity, sorority, or council will tolerate nor condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive behavior on the part of its members, whether physical, mental, or emotional. This is to include any actions that are demeaning to women or men, such as verbal harassment. The chapters and councils will not tolerate sexual assault in any form.” All chapters must educate and instruct their members on the risk management policy and face fines or other sanctions if they violate the policy.
- HAWKS Peer Health Educators collaborate with fraternity and sorority leaders to provide Greeks Step Up!, a bystander intervention program for new members that looks at the topics of hazing, sexual violence, and drug & alcohol abuse.
[Abbreviations for prohibitive behaviors in tables: SA- Sexual Assault; DoV- Domestic Violence; DaV- Dating Violence; S- Stalking; and prosocial behaviors in tables: C- Consent; HR- Healthy Relationships; B- Bystander]
|
Program
|
Date
|
Location
|
Prohibitive Behavior Covered
|
Prosocial Behavior Reinforced
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORL Pro Staff Title IX Training | 7/31/2023 | Shidler Hall | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| C-Seal Title IX Training | 8/17/2023 | Hamilton Hall | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| Program | Date | Location | Prohibitive Behavior Covered | Prosocial Behavior Reinforced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Is A Healthy Relationship | 9/25/2023 | Hepburn Hall | SA, DoV, DaV | HR, B |
| Intimate Partner Violence Awareness | 10/1/2023 | Maplestreet Station Hall | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| Sexual Assault Awareness & Consent Education 101 | 10/3/2023 | Peabody Hall | SA, DoV, DaV, S | C, HR, B |
| What Is A Healthy Relationship | 10/6/2023 | Young Hall | SA | C, B |
| Sexual Assault Awareness & Consent Education 101 | 10/22/2023 | Sigma Alpha Mu | SA | C, HR |
| Queer Sex Ed | 11/7/2023 | oSTEM | SA | C, HR, B |
Online Resources
Miami maintains advice, resources, and reports related to sexual and interpersonal violence and other personal crimes on Campus Safety and Security, which has several links to emergency information, definitions, statistics, an acquaintance rape resource guide, and more.
Students and others are encouraged to register with Rave Guardian and download the app, a tool the university offers to have friends track you while you walk home, to contact university police via text, and to have other safety resources at hand. Rave Guardian is downloadable for free from online app stores.
Miami University Police Department maintains Promises to Victims of Crime, including the promise to treat sexual assault victims with courtesy and dignity and spell out what happens when they report a crime.
Every year Miami reviews and updates the Sexual Misconduct Protocol for Students and the Sexual Misconduct Protocol for Employees and Other Non-Students (Sexual Misconduct Protocols), and makes such protocols available electronically via the University’s policy library. The Sexual Misconduct Protocols are designed to provide a guide for the University’s response efforts, including an explanation of confidentiality, adjudication, definitions, accommodations, etc.
Links to online resources:
- Office of Student Wellness Sex and Relationship
- Sexual and Interpersonal Violence, Safety and Security
- Health Services Center
- Student Counseling Services
- Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion Women's Initiatives
- Tuition and Financial Aid
- International Student and Scholar Services Visa and Immigration
- Miami University Police Department
- HAWKS Peer Health Educators
- Office of the Dean of Students
- Residence Life
- Employee Assistance Programs
Title IX Efforts
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in higher education. Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
Coordinators
Title IX Coordinator
- The University’s Title IX Coordinator is Ms. Kenya D. Ash, Associate Vice President of Equity and Equal Opportunity, Hanna House, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056. Ms. Ash may be reached at 513-529-7157 or ashkd@MiamiOH.edu.
Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
- Ms. Cecilie McGhehey is the Assistant Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for matters related to sexual violence. This includes sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual coercion of students. Ms. McGhehey may be reached at 104 Warfield Hall, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, 513-529-1870 or titleix@MiamiOH.edu.
Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Regional Students
- Dr. Bennyce Hamilton, Regional Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives, and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for matters related to regional campus student Title IX violations. This includes sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence, and sexual harassment. Dr. Hamilton may be reached at 513-785-3283 or hamiltbe@MiamiOH.edu. Regional Office Locations: 117 Rentschler Hall (Hamilton) | 144 Johnston Hall (Middletown)
Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Athletics
- Ms. Jennifer A. Gilbert, Associate Athletic Director / Senior Woman Administrator / Director of NCAA Compliance is the University’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator for matters related to equality of treatment and opportunity in Intercollegiate Athletics. This includes athletic financial assistance, accommodation of interest and abilities, and equity of athletic program benefits. Ms. Gilbert may be reached at Millett Assembly Hall, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, 513-529-3113 or gilberj2@MiamiOH.edu.
Resources and Assistance Available to Students and Employees
Miami has developed a Sexual Misconduct Protocol for Students and a Sexual Misconduct Protocol for Employees and Other Non-Students. These documents provide information about existing counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, visa and Immigration assistance, and other services for victims with Miami and in the community. The Sexual Misconduct Protocol for Students is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Each year, the President sends an email to all employees notifying them of the Sexual Misconduct Protocols, the Duty to Report policy, the Policy Prohibiting Harassment and Discrimination, and other resource information. The Title IX Coordinator, Ms. Kenya Ash (ashkd@MiamiOH.edu, 513-529-7157), the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for students, Ms. Cecilie McGhehey (titleix@MiamiOH.edu, 513-529-1870), and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Regional Students, Dr. Bennyce Hamilton (hamiltbe@MiamiOH.edu, 513-785-3283) provide those individuals experiencing sexual or interpersonal violence with written notification regarding available assistance in changing academic, living, transportation, and working situations. This information is also included in the written Sexual Misconduct Protocols.
Response Training
The Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinators, and Title IX Investigators receive regular training to maintain expertise and continuing education. Title IX Training Materials
All Residence Life Staff, including professional staff and resident assistants, receive training on duty to report for purposes of the Clery Act, Title IX, and to support survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence.
Miami University Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders (SOULs) receive yearly training prior to Orientation to appropriately address, report, and lead discussions regarding sexual and interpersonal violence.
The university’s hearing board officers and members receive specialized training on sexual and interpersonal violence (including sexual assault/misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking).
Supportive Services
Miami’s Student Counseling Services in Oxford and Counseling Services on the Regionals provide confidential support for victims of assault, including emergency counseling available 24 hours a day through Miami University Police dispatch.
In 2014, Miami University and Women Helping Women created and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve services, support, and education in relation to sexual and interpersonal violence. This MOU has been updated annually. Women Helping Women provides confidential support for survivors of sexual assault.
Student Health Services provides confidential outpatient care for all eligible students. Services include general medicine and injury care, gynecology, immunizations, laboratory, and pharmacy. The goal of Student Health Services is to provide both medical care and education that supports a healthy college experience.
The university provides written notification to students and employees about existing counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, visa and immigration assistance, student financial aid, and other services available to victims both within the university and the community.
The university provides written notification to victims about options for and available assistance in, and how to request changes to academic, living, transportation, and working situations or protection measures.
Miami University, the City of Oxford, Miami University Police, and Oxford Police annually review and sign a Law Enforcement Mutual Assistance Agreement.
Safety-Related Transportation
We remind students throughout the year to take action to return them home safely from uptown Oxford and beyond.
BCRTA provides on-demand transportation for students and employees during late-night hours. Call BCRTA at 513-785-5237 or 855-42-BCRTA (toll-free) for hours of operation and to schedule service. Students and employees who present a valid Miami University ID pay no fare to use the SafeRide service.
Typical hours of operation during fall and spring semesters: Monday-Saturday 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Sunday 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Release of Disciplinary Information
The Clery Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), permit universities to disclose certain disciplinary information.
In cases of an alleged sex offense, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, in accordance with the Clery Act, both the complainant (and the alleged victim if different from the complainant) and the respondent(s) will be simultaneously notified, in writing, of the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings, the institution’s procedures for appeal and any change to the result. If the alleged victim is deceased as a result of such crime or offense, the next of kin of such victim shall be treated as the alleged victim for purposes of this paragraph. The notification includes whether the respondent was found responsible and if so the sanction imposed. Upon request, the alleged victim of a respondent(s) of an alleged crime of violence will be advised of the final results (whether the respondent was found responsible and if so the sanction imposed) of the disciplinary proceeding. If the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or sex offense as defined by FERPA, and is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, the University may disclose to any person the final results of University disciplinary proceedings (name of the student, section violated of the Code of Student Conduct, and sanction imposed).
The University may notify by email or regular U.S. mail the parents of students under the age of 21 who have been found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct regarding the use or possession of alcohol or drugs.
Sexual Offender Registration
The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, enacted on October 28, 2000, requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a State to provide notice, as required under state law, of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, volunteers services, or is a student.
Under Ohio's Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) law, responsibility for the registration of sexual predators has been assigned to the sheriff's office. For information concerning the presence of registered sex offenders, visit the Butler County Sheriff's Office or the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
