News

Take Back the Night Gives Voice to Survivors 
November 2018 
On November 8, students, faculty, and staff gathered to support survivors in "Taking Back the Night" and shattering the silence around sexual and interpersonal violence.

SAPAC, the Memphis Area Women's Council, and Others Host a Successful "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" Event
September 2018
Approximately 260 students and community members gathered at the Ramesses statue on campus to kick-off Walk a Mile in Her Shoes on September 27, 2018. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes' goal is to reduce incidents of interpersonal violence and to recognize men as allies in that goal. The event was organized by the Memphis Area Women’s Council, Memphis Says NO MORE, the Memphis Sexual Assault Kit Task Force and Splash Creative in partnership with the UofM Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Coalition, Student Government Association and Title IX Prevention Center.

Attendees heard from several speakers, including: Women's Council Executive Director, Deborah Clubb; City Council member, Worth Morgan;  University of Memphis Director for Institutional Equity, Kenneth Anderson; University of Memphis students, Antonio Scott, Nikkino Wesson, and Courtney Paige; and Bridges teen leaders, Mohamed Abdo and Devin Dearborn. At the conclusion of the speeches, participants walked one-mile in heels in the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Memphis. For additional information about the event, please see the video below.

Approximately Half of the Freshman Class Trained on Sexual Assault Prevention During "Red Zone"
September/October 2018
Trained faculty and staff members and SAPAC Peer Educators facilitated a 70-min highly interactive presentation on sexual assault prevention to 58 sections of ACAD 1100 (approximately half of the freshman class). The presentation focused on topics including healthy relationships, warning signs in relationships, sexual assault, bystander intervention, and resources/reporting options. These presentations took place during the "Red Zone," the period at the beginning of the fall semester students are statistically more likely to be sexually assaulted.

Everfi Sexual Assault Prevention Courses Launched
August 2018
The University of Memphis has launched its annual online Title IX training for students. In this course, students will develop critical skills to make thoughtful and appropriate choices outside the classroom, become aware of key University policies and community values, reflect on knowledge, attitudes, and experiences,learn how to support peers as they navigate new situations, and contribute to building a University campus environment that promotes healthy, respectful interpersonal relationships and prevents the occurrence of sexual misconduct and violence. The deadline for completing the course is September 6.

Title IX Prevention Specialist Hired; Title IX Prevention Fellow Appointed
June 2018
As part of President Rudd's ongoing sexual assault prevention efforts, the University of Memphis has hired  Abby Kindervater, J.D.,  as the Title IX Prevention Specialist. Dr. Mollie Anderson, Department of Psychology, will join Ms. Kindervater as the new Title IX Prevention Faculty Fellow in developing a comprehensive primary prevention program for the University of Memphis, including training, events, and awareness initiatives. Ms. Kindervater and Dr. Anderson will chair the Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force. Ms. Kindervater will also advise the Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Coalition, the student organization dedication to sexual assault prevention.

Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Coalition (SAPAC) Executive Board and Peer Educators Selected
April 2018
SAPAC has selected its 2018-2019 Executive Officer Board.  Nikkino Wesson, Senior Health Studies Major will lead the organization as its Executive Director. Other officers include: Kayla Turner, Assistant Executive Director;  Courtney Paige Harrough, Director of Peer Education; Addie James, Director of Marking and Public Relations; Abigail Powers, Director of Programming.

In addition to selecting the Executive Board, several SAPAC Peer Educators were selected as well, including: Kevyanna Rawls, Mikayla Adams, Maddy McKissack, Snow Spinolo, Rachel Snow, Derek Morris, and Hailey Coleman.

Department of Education Releases Interim Title IX Guidance
September 2017 
In September 2017, the Department of Education released important interim guidance withdrawing the Dear Colleague Letter issued on April 4, 2011, as well as the Question and Answer Document issued on April 29, 2014. For more information on the new guidance, please review the Question and Answer Document regarding the new guidance.