UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, has penned a guest post on President Eric Barron’s Digging Deeper blog to express Penn State’s commitment to combating sexual misconduct, share actions the University has taken to address this serious issue, and offer support and resources for victims of sexual assault and harassment.
“At its core, though, our determination to end sexual assault and harassment involves each of us — the University’s students, faculty and staff, who comprise the citizens of this wonderful, exciting and meaningful learning community,” Sims wrote. “The University administration must establish the necessary programs and services, ensure suitable staff and resources, enact the right policies and practices, and enforce expectations. But every student, as well as every faculty and staff member, shares a duty to one another to live their lives in ways that give no space for sexual misconduct of any kind. There is no one answer to this vexing, troubling problem, which often involves interactions between adults in private settings. The answer will be found only by way of persistence and determination, and only if we join together to insist on a community built on mutual respect.”
Sims’ post can be read in its entirety on the Digging Deeper blog.