University of California, Berkeley Puts Up $2.5 Million to Support Sexual Assault Response and Prevention

The University of California, Berkeley has earmarked $2.5 million in additional funds to strengthen response programs for victims of sexual violence and to mount addition measures aimed a preventing sexual assaults.

The funding will support several new initiatives:

• The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, which handles Title IX complaints, will add administrative and operational support and three additional full-time investigators to shorten the time of investigations of cases.
• New positions will be staffed to support manager resolution and discipline of staff and student complaints when findings of policy violations are identified.
• Four positions will be added to the CARE Advocates unit and University Health Services to immediately begin expanding prevention, training programs and support services for survivors.

Carla Hesse, the recently appointed interim campus lead for sexual violence and sexual harassment, stated that “this investment is overdue. It is not unexpected to see an increase in cases and reporting as our campus works to change the culture of reporting and support. These resources will assist us in addressing the backlog of work and address potential future needs.” Dr. Hesse is the Peder Sather Professor of History, the dean of social sciences, and executive dean of the College of Letters and Science. Professor Hesse is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz and holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Princeton University. She is the author of The Other Enlightenment: How French Women Became Modern (Princeton University Press, 2001).

Nicholas Dirks, chancellor of the Berkeley campus, added that “while the campus is facing significant financial challenges the safety and well-being of all members of our community must be our highest priority. It is, in fact, a non-negotiable priority.”