Fewer students living on college campuses may help keep them safe from the coronavirus, but sexual violence remains a topic of discussion at the University of Hawaii.
During this legislative session, state lawmakers did not pass a measure, HB691 and SB727, which would have required UH to expand protections against sexual assault and improve access for confidential support services.
The university testified the measure should be deferred so that it "can work with stakeholders to clarify the intent and language," calling the requirements of the bill "duplicative" and "an inefficient use of funds."
Anna Chua, a UH senior and student organizer, said a new Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Harassment and Gender Violence was released to students.
The survey found 21% of respondents said they had been victims of dating or domestic violence while they were enrolled in the UH system. It also found 7.2% experienced nonconsensual sexual contact and 12.7% reported being sexually harassed.
Nora Gallo is co-executive director of the Every Voice Coalition, an organization that works on campuses nationwide to help students pass legislation that protects survivors of sexual violence.
"We see these numbers reflected across the country. Nationally, an estimated one in 10 students will experience sexual violence by the time they leave or graduate college," Gallo said. "In 2020, two million students experienced campus sexual violence."
They hosted a panel discussion Wednesday along with their partner organizations about ending sexual violence on campus.
Various campus resources are listed below:
- Associated Students of the University of Hawai?i at M?noa
- American Association of University Women (AAUW)
- Prevention, Awareness, Understanding Violence Program
- LGBTQ+ Center
- University of Hawaii Women's Center
- The Every Voice Coalition
- Planned Parenthood Generation Action
- Confidential resources
- Imua Alliance
