White House Launches "Not Alone: Together Against Sexual Assault" Website

The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, created by President Obama on January 22, published its first report, Not Alone, and its new website, NotAlone.gov, yesterday.

NotAlone.gov provides information, resources, and data for students, schools, and other entities and focuses on on how to respond to and prevent sexual assault at higher education institutions throughout the U.S.

In concordance with the growing issue of sexual violence and President Obama's renewed call to action, we have created a Presidential Task Force on Sexual Violence in Higher Education to enact our best collective thinking to identify best practices in sexual violence prevention, to respond compassionately and effectively to those affected, and to rebuild the public trust.

To achieve these goals, our task force will:

• Disseminate best practices for preventing and responding to rape and sexual assault
• Ensure all members are fully engaged with our message
• Create public awareness of an institution’s track record in addressing sexual violence
• Improve transparency of institutions’ enforcement activities

To learn more about our advocacy efforts surrounding sexual violence prevention and accountability, visit our Presidential Task Force on Sexual Violence in Higher Education page.

Additional Resources 

• Bystander Intervention Fact Sheet – This document details the common components of bystander-focused intervention and prevention.  
• Checklist for Sexual Misconduct Policy – The following checklist for sexual misconduct policies (checklist) highlights elements that are 
  particularly important for institutions to consider when drafting sexual misconduct policies as part of their overall response to sexual misconduct.
• Final VAWA Negotiated Rule-making Consensus Language  – the Department of Education is going to publish the proposed rule-making for public comment in the coming months
• Intersection of Title IX and Clery Act – The purpose of this chart is to clarify the reporting requirements of Title IX and the Clery Act in cases of sexual violence and to resolve any concerns about apparent conflicts between the two laws.
• 1 is 2 Many Public Service Announcement (PSA) - White House PSA encouraging men to stand up against sexual assault
• Prevention Strategies Overview – This document describes the best practices in developing, selecting, and implementing 
  prevention strategies with the highest chance of successfully changing sexual violence in 
  communities. 
  • complementary fact sheet This document outlines key points that campuses should consider in 
    strategic planning for sexual violence prevention. 
• Prevention Strategic Planning Document – This document outlines key points that campuses should consider in 
  strategic planning for sexual violence prevention.
• Review of Promising Practices of Victim Services – This document discusses the existing research on sexual assault crisis intervention and victim services. 
• Sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) This document guides colleges and universities on how they can strengthen their relationship with rape crisis centers, which are community-based organizations that provide victim advocacy and support. 
  services to victims of sexual violence
• Sample Reporting and Confidentiality Protocol – This is a guide that highlights important elements for institutions to consider when drafting an 
  effective policy regarding reporting and confidentially disclosing sexual violence.
• Title IX FAQs – released by the Department of Education, this is a list of FAQs regarding Title IX to provide additional guidance to schools concerning their obligations under this legislation
• Climate Surveys: Useful Tools to Help Colleges and Universities in Their Efforts to Reduce and Prevent Sexual Assault – a guide on how to assess campus climates on sexual assault