Jackson State University’s Title IX office is facilitating “Courageous Conversations” – a monthly series of dialogues created to edify the student body on the multi-facets of gender and sexual discrimination.
The first session is Wednesday, Aug. 31 in the theater room of the JSU Student Center from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“The reason we’re calling it ‘Courageous Conversations’ is because of the taboo placed on dating violence and sexual assault,” said Keisha Varnell, coordinator of Jackson State’s interpersonal programs and services.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX section of the 1972 Education Amendments protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Varnell further details the scope of Title IX by explaining that any student attending a federally funded college or university should be free of gender-based discrimination, intimate partner and gender violence, stalking, sexual assault and other associated biased behaviors.
“We want to break through barriers and engage in discussions regarding consent, social norms and the reporting of on-campus sexual assaults,” Varnell added.
One in every five students is affected by sexual assault before they graduate from college, according to information received from the Title IX office.
Some repetitive factors that deter reporting are availability and awareness of campus resources, stigmas associated with rape and violence, possible drug and alcohol use and victim shaming.
To escalate student awareness on the severity of sexual abuse, Varnell has been reaching out to members of the Student Government Association (SGA), the Pan-Hellenic Council and the university’s graduate and undergraduate class leaders to ensure that the focus of the monthly series is “as student-led as possible.”
Thomas Hudson, chief diversity and equal employment opportunity officer for JSU, states that accused respondents and complainants need to know and understand their rights, but all people should be informed on how to avoid potentially volatile situations and are made cognizant of the impact sexual assault has on an individual.
“Anyone can be a victim; it’s not just women. It’s not just a particular type, but any student can be a victim, so everyone should be aware and everyone should attend,” said Hudson, who is also a Title IX coordinator.
More information on Title IX and JSU’s sexual misconduct policy can be found in the Jackson State University 2016 Student Handbook.