Dear students, faculty and staff,
We write to share with you some progress in the campus’s ongoing efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH): the new hub campus website for information about SVSH, the 2019 Annual Report, and a social norms campaign this academic year.
One of the recommendations from the 2018 MyVoice Survey report was to raise awareness of campus resources. Accordingly, we are pleased to announce a new website, svsh.berkeley.edu. A collective effort of many campus partners, this website is a centralized portal for up-to-date information on campus SVSH prevention and response efforts, including new, accessible, printable guides.
On svsh.berkeley.edu, you can also find the new 2019 Annual Report on Sexual Violence/Sexual Harassment, covering academic year 2018-2019. The Annual Report series was commissioned as part of an institutional commitment to accountability and transparency. Each report details the campus’s inner workings regarding SVSH prevention, survivor support, incidence rates, and response processes. The 2019 report also discusses changes that took place during 2018-19.
The svsh.berkeley.edu website and the Annual Report both model the philosophy that preventing sexual violence and harassment is a community responsibility. This principle is embodied in a new campuswide social norms campaign, launched by the PATH to Care Center. From banners in central campus to social media and more, the campaign cites data from the MyVoice Survey showing that the majority of students, staff and faculty understand the importance of supporting others and would intervene to stop disrespectful or harmful behavior. The campaign’s goal is to empower us all to actively demonstrate our shared principles of community.
Preventing and responding to SVSH is a top priority of the campus and the University of California more broadly. As systemwide Title IX Coordinator Suzanne Taylor said last year, “UC remains steadfast in its commitment to combating sexual violence through prevention, transparent and fair resolution processes, and just outcomes.” We invite you to browse the website, read the Annual Report, and participate in the social norms campaign: #WeCARE #ActiveBystander #No More #PromotePreventionSupportSurvivors @PATHtoCareUCB @CalBearsThatCare.
As always, we welcome your feedback and your engagement in the next steps the campus is taking.
Best wishes,
- Sharon Inkelas, Special Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor on Sexual Violence/Sexual Harassment
- Carol T. Christ, Chancellor
If you are a manager who supervises UC Berkeley employees without email access, please circulate this information to all.
