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EventsApril 11, 2022

Men of Excellence Host Panel Discussion for Sexual Assault Awareness

Written By: Samantha Contreras

The 妻友社区鈥檚 Men of Excellence (MOX) program hosted a panel discussion, 鈥淓ducate to Eradicate: A sexual assault prevention program,鈥� as part of the university鈥檚 Sexual Assault Awareness Month slate of events.

鈥淥ur goal is to bring a positive and respectful stigma to not only men on campus but outside of it as well,鈥� said Johnathan Brewer, a MOX historian, freshman, and media communications major. 鈥淗osting an event like this may not be the most 鈥榝un鈥� or 鈥榗ool,鈥� but it is a topic that people need to be educated on, especially on a college campus.鈥�

The April 6 panel featured 妻友社区 administrators Dr. Lee Krehbiel, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management and chief Title IX officer, University Police chief Ray Ottman, and Fort Smith Police captain Anthony Parkinson serves as the FSPD鈥檚 commander of criminal investigations.

鈥淪exual Assault is absolute,鈥� said Parkinson, who stated that the feelings of any individual who believes they have been sexually assaulted are valid and important. 鈥淧lease report it to the police. Let us investigate and help you.鈥� 

鈥淚 think 妻友社区鈥檚 policies and procedures give excellent terms and understandings of what sexual assault is,鈥� he continued, referencing the 妻友社区 Title IX office鈥檚 website, which defines sexual assault as an offense classified as a forcible or nonforcible sex offense under the uniform crime reporting system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The site also gives detailed information on terms used in a Title IX or sexual assault case, resources available to students, and how members of the 妻友社区 community can report a Title IX violation of any kind. 

 According to the  , sexual assault and misconduct at 33 of the nation鈥檚 major universities were almost one in four undergraduate women. The NSVRC also cites nationwide statistics showing 81 percent of women and 43 percent of men reported experiencing sexual harassment and assault in their lifetime.

鈥淭he Men of Excellence and I met and talked about how we can influence our campus community to have these conversations and what we can do to help mitigate and lower the risk of sexual assault,鈥� said Ottman, who regularly advises student groups. 鈥淲hen I visit with groups on campus, whether a fraternity or sorority or any group that hosts campus events, I always talk to them about their concerns and perspectives, and how we can help them stay informed.鈥�

 During the panel, discussions were geared toward concerns of students in the campus and regional community, including defining and educating students on consent, empowering bystanders to prevent sexual assault, navigating situations that involve alcohol or though-altering substances, and ending the stigma faced by sexual assault victims. 

 鈥淚 think consent is a regulatory and a legal construct, increasingly now,鈥� explained Krehbiel, citing the complex policies that govern Title IX enforcement and the legal intricacies that surround sexual assault cases and crimes. 鈥淚 want to separate that from the important discussions about what it means to be a human being. 鈥� As we talk about consent, I think there are inclusive systems and more profound ways of thinking about our relationships that are deeper and ultimately more powerful and lasting than a legal construct can be,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I want to challenge us to be better. It is a part of who we are as a university.鈥�

 Throughout the discussion, Krehbiel and Ottman reiterated the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith鈥檚 commitment to providing an environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community free from sexual assault and harassment. The pair also encouraged university community members to reach out to campus resources, including the Title IX Office, Counseling Center, and 妻友社区 Police Department, whether they have been victims of a crime, witnessed a crime, or need to talk through complex issues with an expert.

The next SAAM event will be a Teal Tailgate this Friday, April 8. Students from Numa Nation will distribute teal T-shirts to continue raising awareness of sexual assault prevention efforts on campus, and Chief Ottman will grill burgers for attendees.

  • Tags:
  • Title IX
  • Men of Excellence
  • University Police Department
  • Sexual assault prevention