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Sexual violence EDUCATION at Penn State University PArk

Sexual Violence Is Real, and Sexual Violence is Here

In alignment with national data, sexual violence is a pervasive and horrific issue at Penn State University Park (PSU UP). Currently, the only mandatory sexual violence education for all students is a one-time program provided during New Student Orientation (NSO). It is our job as students/faculty of Penn State and members of the State College community to educate about the persistence of sexual violence at PSU UP and advocate for the establishment of a yearly sexual violence and bystander intervention course mandatory for all students (graduate and professional) to graduate.

The Facts:

Data was retrieved from the University's 2018 Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey at University Park.

  • 19% of undergraduate students and 7.1% of graduate/professional students have reported being victims of at least 1 attempt of instance of sexual assault

  • Only 78.5% of undergraduate students and 83.5% of graduate/professional students feel safe from sexual harassment on or around campus

  • Only 63.8% of undergraduate students and 74.6% of graduate/professional students feel that the University would take reports seriously

  • 84.7% of undergraduate students and 78% of graduate students think that sexual misconduct is a problem at UP

Click the button below to view a comprehensive issue brief about sexual violence at PSU UP.

What Might This Course Look Like?

Bystander Intervention and Victim Care

  • How to be an active bystander before, during, or after an instance of sexual violence

  • How to care for victims of sexual Violence

  • How to balance self-care and bystander intervention

Comprehensive Sex Education

  • Scientifically accurate, informed, sensitive, and adaptive sex curriculum

  • Anatomy and physical aspects of sex and sexual health

  • Emotional and cognitive aspects of sex and sexual health

  • Gender equity, sexual violence and abuse

Self-care and Healthy Relationships

  • Balancing romantic relationships and friendships

  • What friendships and romantic relationships should look like

  • The importance of your relationship with yourself

  • Self-care and healthy routines

Learn More: Course Topic Resources

For more resources, view the comprehensive issue brief linked above.

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

It's on us to make our campus and town a safer space, and it all starts with educating one another about the prevalence of sexual violence and our role in stopping it. Together we are stronger. Send a letter today to our officials at PSU UP and share your support for the establishment of this course!

Click the button below to view a letter template to send to our officials at PSU UP.

Advocacy Project Justification:

Works Cited

In addition to those from the Issue Brief:

Bystander Intervention Tips and Strategies. 2018, https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2018-02/publications_nsvrc_tip-sheet_bystander-intervention-tips-and-strategies_1.pdf.

“How to Manage Self-Care and Boundaries in Romantic Relationships.” Counseling Recovery, Michelle Farris, LMFT, https://www.counselingrecovery.com/blog-san-jose/how-to-take-care-of-yourself-in-relationships. Accessed 24 Apr. 2022.

Sex Education. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-great-northwest-hawaii-alaska-indiana-kentuck/education/sex-education. Accessed 24 Apr. 2022.

“The Relationship You Have with Yourself.” Mental Health Foundation, 8 Feb. 2018, https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/guide-investing-your-relationships/yourself.

What Is Comprehensive Sexuality Education? | Comprehensive Sexuality Education Implementation Toolkit. https://csetoolkit.unesco.org/toolkit/getting-started/what-comprehensive-sexuality-education. Accessed 24 Apr. 2022.

Image Citations

https://admissions.psu.edu/pennstate/campuses/university-park/

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/smarter-living/how-to-be-an-active-bystander-when-you-see-casual-racism.html

http://www.fortitudeaz.com/sexeducation

https://www.babylonhealth.com/en-gb/blog/health/a-therapists-guide-to-self-care