CHANGING THE CULTURE | Page 78

White House Task Force to protect students from sexual assault A number of responses have referenced the work that has been carried out by the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. Not Alone: The First Report of the Task Force sets out the key aspects of an effective institutional response, as identified in the research.94 There is significant overlap between the aspects outlined below and the core principles that have been identified in chapter 2:  Someone a survivor can talk to in confidence.  A comprehensive policy: the White House Task Force has created a checklist for universities.  Better disciplinary systems: the report stated that the Justice Department intended to conduct an assessment of different models for investigating and adjudicating campus sexual assault cases in order to identify best practice.  Partnerships with the community: the Task Force developed template memoranda of understanding that universities can refer to when establishing relationships with local RCCs and local law enforcement agencies, stressing the importance of putting in place effective relationships with external bodies.  Greater transparency and improved enforcement. The Task Force also launched a dedicated website, notalone.gov, which provides advice, emergency contact numbers, details of a victim’s legal rights, step-by-step guidance on how to make a complaint and advice for bystanders. The guidance provided for universities builds upon the key aspects listed above. Resources include:  advice on legal obligations  a guide to developing policies and procedures – including the checklist to help universities draft a comprehensive policy, as mentioned above  guidance on developing partnerships with local RCCs including a template memorandum of understanding  template memorandum of understanding with local police  links to specialist support organisations, which can also be searched by area The role of campus police In February 2016, the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at the University of Texas at Austin published a comprehensive guide on the role of campus police in responding to sexual assault.95 This publication is intended to serve as a toolkit for police at all levels. It provides detailed guidance to help campus police understand as fully as possible: what campus sexual assault is; how it can occur; the circumstances that are associated with it; Not Alone: the first report of the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault (April 2014). 95 Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at the University of Texas at Austin, The Blueprint for Campus Police: responding to sexual assault (February 2016). Available at https://utexas.app.box.com/blueprintforcampuspolice 94 77