Monday night, eight panelists gathered in the Governance Chambers in Talley Student Union to discuss the resources NC State can offer to victims of sexual assault. The information panel met to discuss with students sexual assault and awareness in partnership with Students Government’s “It’s On Us” campaign.  

“It’s On Us,” according to the Student Government website, “advocates for a cultural shift surrounding sexual assault, by identifying what sexual assault is and situations in which it is beneficial to step in and prevent sexual assault from happening.”

Monday’s panel was comprised of representatives from Student Conduct and Affairs, the Counseling Center, the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity, the GLBT Center, University Police, Student Health Services and NCSU Greek Life.

The discussion lasted over an hour as panelists talked about the resources available to survivors of sexual assault, such as individual counseling and legal services.

Paul Cousins, director of Student Conduct, explained to listeners that the university was currently invested in a “decentralized system,” meaning that the resources for sexual violence don’t just reside in one, specific office. Instead, services are spread throughout campus. This was further explained as each of the seven departments represented in the panel discussed the services each offered for those looking for help in regards to sexual assault. 

Melissa Babb, interpersonal violence coordinator and psychologist at the Counseling Center, said that the center offers both individual and group therapy for survivors. 

“It can be a great place for survivors to come and meet in a group setting and realize they’re not alone,” Babb said, about the trauma group that has been introduced this semester.

Leah Arnett, the director of Student Health Services, explained that while the Student Health Center does not have the resources necessary to conduct rape exams on campus, the center can help students better understand their options and can treat survivors for immediate injuries. Arnett said that there are skilled Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations within the community, such as those available at InterAct of Wake County.

NC State’s “It’s On Us” PSA, uploaded to YouTube on Oct. 16, 2014 has been viewed 4,794 times. The caption on the video reads, “Its on us to provide a safe environment at NC State, free of sexual assault and sexual violence. As a community, we pledge to recognize that nonconsensual sex is sexual assault, to identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given, to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.”  

In the second half of the discussion, panelists touched on both possible prevention measures and ones that are already in place. University Police’s Major David Kelly discussed how the department has had success in its Rape Aggression Defense classes offered to women on campus. The department is currently in the process of finding ways to offer the class to men. 

Kelly told the crowd that University Police works to prevent sexual assault by combining education and enforcement. It wants to help students learn and better understand what sexual assault is by providing information, tools and resources to students, faculty and staff. Kelly said that he believes, by bringing understanding and awareness to campus, this further understanding could help to prevent instances of sexual assault.

According to Kelly, University Police has been working to increase its foot patrol at university events, such as tailgates, as well as its relationship with Greek Life to become more aware of the house parties and socials sororities and fraternities hold.

Student, faculty and staff interested in joining the campaign are encouraged to take the pledge: to recognize, identify, intervene and create all the necessary situations where survivors of sexual assault are supported and cared for.

Students interested in learning more about the “It’s On Us” campaign can visit sg.students.ncsu.edu/executive/its-on-us/ or watch NC State’s PSA on the NC State DASA YouTube page.