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
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