Dear campus community,
I want to follow up on the video message I shared last week. I know it prompted questions and conversation, and I want to make sure I am clear about both our concern and our shared responsibility as a community.
Whenever we learn that someone in our community has been harmed, we feel that deeply. I want to reiterate something that should never be in question: sexual violence is never acceptable, and the person who experiences sexual violence is never to blame.
Two things are especially important in how we respond: prevention and reporting.
In my earlier message, I referenced what is often called the “red zone” at universities across the nation — the early weeks of the academic year when the risk of sexual violence, particularly among college students, is heightened. One of the reasons education is so important is that sexual violence often does not involve a stranger entering a place where they do not belong. More often, the person who causes harm is someone the victim knows or has encountered socially, and the situation occurs in a familiar environment, such as a residence, a gathering, a party, or another setting where people may initially feel safe. For example, recent campus incidents occurred independently and are not related to each other nor by the same perpetrator.
That reality means prevention cannot be understood simply as adding more security measures. Safety is something we create together.
Education matters. Bystander intervention matters. Looking out for one another matters. Paying attention when something does not seem right: checking in with someone who may be at risk or incapacitated, intervening safely when we can, and getting help when it is needed are all part of building a community in which we take responsibility for one another’s well-being.
We will continue to provide education and awareness around healthy relationships, bystander intervention, alcohol and consent, factors that can increase risk, and available support resources. I encourage students to participate in our upcoming programs and workshops, which offer practical tools for recognizing concerning situations, intervening safely and supporting those who may have experienced sexual violence.
To anyone in our community who has experienced sexual violence, I want you to know that we are here for you. We will do everything possible to ensure you feel safe coming forward and know where you can turn for support. Nationally, nearly three in four rapes and sexual assaults are not reported to law enforcement.¹ There are many reasons someone may choose not to report or may not feel ready to do so, and we will continue working to ensure support and reporting options are clear and accessible.
If you choose to come forward, resources are available to help you understand your options, and you will be treated with care and dignity. Our campus embraces reporting and will not shy away from addressing sexual violence when it occurs.
Creating a community in which people look out for one another, intervene when something is wrong, and support those who come forward is a responsibility we all share.
With care,
Viridiana Diaz, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
¹ Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2024, as reported by RAINN.
On-campus resources include:
Off-campus resources include:
