The Student Government Association on Monday passed the Survivors Bill of Rights to consolidate Title IX resources and grow on-campus support for survivors of sexual assault.
SGA Senate Pro Tempore Liz Stoddard, who sponsored the bill of rights, said the legislation will serve as a “testament” to the SGA’s support for student sexual assault survivors and expand resources for students who “do not feel supported” by the University. Stoddard said the resolution is “crucial” for people like her on campus who have experienced forms of sexual assault and did not feel “heard or seen” by the University or know where to find support resources.
The resolution consolidates into a single document information on Counseling and Psychological Services mental health services and Student Health Center medical resources, as well as off-campus options like the DC Victim Hotline and the Network for Victim Recovery of DC, per the legislation.
“I ask you all to see this resolution as a testament that we, as a governing body, will not stand for such things and that we will advocate for students to have justice and accountability and to be treated with the utmost respect in their most traumatic moments,” Stoddard said.
Stoddard recognized Aly McCormick, who endorsed the resolution and serves as the co-president of Students Against Sexual Assault, for pitching the idea of a Survivor’s Bill of Rights to the SGA. McCormick, who was unable to attend the meeting, introduced the idea of a GW Survivor’s Bill of Rights during her campaign for SGA vice president last spring.
SGA President Ethan Fitzgerald said the executive branch has started accepting applications for a Title IX student volunteer advisor program, which he said will allow students and alumni to advise students who are undergoing Title IX processes. He said the peer advisors will be able to attend meetings students have with the Title IX office and help them navigate on-campus resources like CAPS and GW’s office for Conflict Education & Student Accountability.
“Students can currently choose their own advisors, but this program will help students who do not have a peer they feel comfortable involving in the Title IX process,” Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said the application to become a peer advisor is now open and will close in mid December. The program is expected to launch in spring 2025 and training sessions for accepted students will be held in January, the application states. The form states the program’s goal is to offer an “equitable” amount of student advisors for both the complainants and respondents in Title IX cases.
Fitzgerald also said the SGA will host a town hall on Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the University Student Center Amphitheater to discuss the University’s “school strategic framework” and “long-term planning.” He said the town hall will encourage conversations between the student body and University officials.
Stoddard then motioned to move into an executive session for one hour for a presentation by Jay Goff, the vice provost for enrollment and student success.
Senators will hold their final meeting of the semester Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. in the USC Grand Ballroom.
