VIP: Violence • Intervention • Prevention

Sexual Misconduct Information and Resources

In a community of integrity, honor, and trust there is no place for power-based personal violence (harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking). Washington and Lee University takes these issues very seriously and has strong policies, excellent resources, and a clear commitment to prevention. If you have been personally impacted by this issue, there are multiple resources available to help you. If you are in immediate need of assistance please call:

• Public Safety at 458-8999
• Student Health Center at 458-8401
• Project Horizon at 463-2594

Power Based Personal Violence

Power-based personal violence is a form of violence that has as a primary motivator the assertion of power, control and/or intimidation in order to harm another.

This includes partner violence, sexual assault‚ stalking‚ and other uses of force‚ threat‚ intimidation‚ or harassment of an individual. It also includes the use of alcohol or drugs to commit any of these acts. These acts are inclusive of acts committed by strangers‚ friends‚ or acquaintances.

What do we know about Power-based personal violence?

• Studies estimate that 10 to 20 percent of children are at risk for exposure to domestic violence (Carlson, 2000). Some of these children are now the men and women that are a part of our Washington and Lee community--as students, faculty and staff - and carry with them the impact of that experience.
• Female students on college campuses face a disproportionately high risk of experiencing sexual violence. W&L is no exception.
• Male victims of sexual abuse constitute an extremely under-identified, under-served and frequently misunderstood population.
• The rates of domestic violence in same-gender relationships is roughly the same as domestic violence against heterosexual women. As in opposite-gendered couples, the problem is likely underreported.
• Persons aged 18-24 years experience the highest rate of stalking and sexual assault.
• Domestic violence is a significant social and public health problem that disproportionately affects women and girls and often results in injury, chronic mental and physical health problems, and death.

Your Connection to Power-based Personal Violence

All of us have a connection to the issue of power-based personal violence.

• Perhaps your connection is a direct experience you have had with violence.
• Perhaps your connection is that you know or love someone who has been impacted.
• Maybe your connection is a broader concern for community safety or a commitment to social justice issues.
• Maybe your connection is just rooted in your desire to contribute something positive in the world.

As you navigate through these pages, we challenge you to stay anchored in your connection. The daily reality and human cost of power-based personal violence within our campus community demands that we respond - urgently and immediately.

Within these pages you will find an entry point.

• You will find your entry point to resources if you have been personally impacted by this issue.
• You will find your entry point to educating yourself about this issue.
• You will find your entry point into doing your part to address power-based personal violence at W&L.
• You will find your entry point to W&L policy and Virginia law

No one is asking you to get involved with the issue of power-based personal violence, because you already are. We are just asking you to become more conscious and deliberate about your involvement. You can act to stop or interrupt violence or you can remain silent--but by allowing it to go on and modeling to others that silence is okay you are perpetuating violence. Take charge of your role. A choice NOT to get involved is a choice to allow it to continue.