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Millersville University has taken proactive steps in order to educate students about sexual assault and how they can make a difference.
As a result of the sexual assault programs the University police chief, Pete Anders, said, “Reporting will likely increase, which attests to trust in those who will respond to a student. Sexual assaults are vastly underreported on college campuses and nationally. We are working to increase student confidence in reporting of sexual assaults by being victim centered, while decreasing the total incidents that occur through education and intervention.”
“The change has to come from within the student group through education and intervention; we are ahead of the curve because our students care about each other. I see our students as the generation who encouraged their parents to wear seatbelts, to recycle and to practice fire safety in their home. Our students have been activists to my generation likely without realizing how effective they are,” said Anders.
Jayme Trogus, director of the Elsie S. Shenk Center for Health Education & Promotion, has integrated new sexual assault programs for students to participate in during orientation. “Sexual violence is prevalent on college campuses across the country. It is a priority at Millersville to keep students safe, to educate each individual about the role they play in ending sexual violence, and to provide support services for students impacted by sexual violence,” said Trogus.
In addition to the new student orientation, students will have sexual assault information infused into the classroom. Students are asked to take an online education program, “Not Anymore,” prior to the start of their first semester.
“Having students participate in assignments that require the completion of the online portal within a course complements the efforts of the University to educate EVERY student about this important topic,” said wellness and sport sciences department chair, Dr. Daniel Keefer.
The federal government recently enacted a new law “Under Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act,” that states new students and new employees must be offered ‘primary prevention and awareness programs. Millersville has been incorporating sexual assault programs on campus even before the new law existed. There has been sexual assault programming during the first six weeks of each semester and throughout the year, visual displays, discussions, education, awareness events, and counseling through a partnership with Lancaster YWCA.
