The End Violence on Campus Program was unveiled Thursday with the aim to raise awareness and reduce the number of crimes involving sexual assault, dating violence and stalking on campus.
“We have an obligation and an opportunity to address these crimes,” said Carmen Hotvedt, violence prevention specialist at University Health Services and director of the program.
According to Hotvedt, there are four main goals EVOC would like to accomplish.
First, the program seeks to provide prevention education to first-year and incoming students, train law enforcement and judicial officers, enhance student access to places such as Domestic Abuse Intervention Services and foster collaboration across all entities involved.
With funding from a grant awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women from the U.S. Department of Justice, EVOC incorporates the student organization Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment and DAIS.
According to UW senior and chair of PAVE, Tera Meerkins, PAVE will be working to educate incoming freshmen and transfer students on what constitutes sexual assault and dating violence.
“The pursuit to prevent sexual assault and dating violence is ceaseless,” she said.
Shannon Barry, DAIS executive director, said many students are unaware of the services they provide for those who have been victimized, including shelter at a safe house, and help through their crisis line and legal advocacy program.
Dean of Students Lori Berquam said she is proud of the work EVOC has done so far, but is ready to help break down the barriers that keep victims from stepping forward.
“Through this project we’re enhancing our efforts so when victims choose to come forward, we do all that we can to assist them,” Berquam said.
Sarah Van Orman, executive director for UHS, said their mission is to help students learn and be successful, which can only be done if students are healthy and happy.
“I encourage you to help us to evoke change, to evoke equality and to evoke respect,” she said.
According to Peter Ystenes, lieutenant detective at University of Wisconsin Police Department, patrol officers and first responders were involved in a training program, especially those who work at night.
The training took place this past summer and helped the department to better understand a victim’s feelings after an incident of sexual assault or dating violence, Ystenes said.
“We’re inviting advocacy groups to come to our department so that [everyone] understands what the victim is going through,” Ystenes said.
In regard to the training of law enforcement officials, Hotvedt said the training is enhancing the ability of police officers to do an even better job.
Pete DeWind, clinical associate professor at UW Law School and director of the Restorative Justice Project, felt the program is an effective way to raise public awareness.
“I think anything that can be done to help address and reduce these types of crimes is absolutely essential,” he said.
