2014-12

Arizona State University
University Senate
Fall 2013

Senate Motion #2014-12

Motion Introduced by: Helene Ossipov, Past-President of the Tempe Campus Assembly
 
Date of First Reading: October 7, 2013
 
Date of Second Reading: November 4, 2013
 
Title of Motion: Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse Protocol and Increasing Awareness for ASU Community
 
From: T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics Social Impact Initiative
 
Whereas, October is National Domestic Violence Prevention month;
 
Whereas, intimate partner violence and abuse (also referred to as dating and domestic partner violence and abuse and including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse) is considered a major public health problem by the Center for Disease Control;
 
Whereas, intimate partner violence and abuse includes threatening and intimidation, as well as social media misconduct;
 
Whereas, the prime age for victimization of intimate partner violence and abuse is college age (18 to 24);
 
Whereas, as many as 53% of college students have experienced at least one incident of dating violence;
 
Whereas, 25 percent of female students experience sexual assault over the course of their college career;
 
Whereas, 30 to 50 percent of victims of intimate partner violence are male;
 
Whereas, being a victim of intimate partner violence and abuse is associated with death, physical injury, depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, substance abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases;
 
Whereas, the faculty and academic professionals are interested in all members of the university community reaching their full potential and recognize the importance of promoting healthy and successful relationships during this time period;
 
Therefore, be it RESOLVED
 
That the University Senate of Arizona State University supports the establishment of a clearly written protocol specifically addressing intimate partner violence and that this protocol be easily accessible to the university community on the University’s website.  The protocol should minimally include (1) specific steps one should take if one has experienced or is experiencing intimate partner violence and abuse;  (2) clear and specific definitions of intimate partner violence and abuse; (3) questions one should ask him/herself if he or she thinks he or she is in a violent or abusive relationship; (4) educational and employment sanctions statement; (5) assurances to individuals who report incidents of violence and abuse or who have been accused of intimate partner violence and abuse; (6) a statement regarding intolerance for false reporting and consequences of such; (7) statements regarding immunity for reporting and confidentiality; (8) the student and employee conduct process; and (9) list of resources for the university community.