Georgia Southern University in Statesboro is taking a new approach to address the problem of sexual violence and misconduct on campus. The university’s Health Services and Sexual Assault Response Team has announced the formation of the Prevention of Men’s Violence Against Women Champions Committee.
Comprised of 17 male university faculty and staff members from the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses, team members, known as champions, are charged with a mission to establish a sense of ownership of the issue and to provide sexual violence prevention tools as it pertains to their particular areas of influence.
The committee will promote Sexual Assault Response Team-affiliated campaigns throughout the year, such as the Clothesline Project and It’s On Us week. Members will attend two large-scale, sexual assault prevention events on campus, such as the Walk A Mile in Her Shoes march, an event designed to raise awareness about sexual violence by having men walk campus in red, high-heeled shoes.
Gemma Skuraton, health promotion coordinator at Georgia Southern University, stated that “we are grateful that these men stepped forward to champion our message. This committee will be a fundamental part of our efforts to erase sexual violence and the stigma associated with it.”
Ken Gassiot, associate vice president for student engagement and member of the committee, added that “people are hesitant to talk about sexual violence, and in many instances, sexual assault still goes unreported because there’s such a stigma surrounding it. Sexual violence is not just one person’s problem. The issue impacts our campuses and communities, and we as members of the Champions Committee are a loud voice to get in front of the most people, in the most effective way.”
Women make up 50 percent of the nearly 18,000 undergraduate students on the Georgia Southern campus.