Event Invitation: “Sexual Citizens” Discussion during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This message contains reference to the subject of sexual assault. Recipients may opt to not read this message, or to choose a time and space when they feel supported and safe to absorb its content. To talk to a confidential Advocate for survivors, students can send a secure message to Student Health via MySHR to ask for an Advocate, or call 213-740-9355, any time, 24/7.

Message to USC Students, Faculty, and Staff

From: Charles F. Zukoski, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Monique S. Allard, Interim Vice President, Student Affairs; Tracy Poon Tambascia, President, Academic Senate; Professor, Rossier School of Education; Sarah Van Orman, MD, MMM, FACHA, USC Student Health Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC

As we begin Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#usc_saam), we are writing to invite you to a public discussion framed around the concept of “sexual citizens.” The idea comes out of the most comprehensive study to date of sexual assault on campus conducted by the Sexual Health Initiative to Foster Transformation (SHIFT) at Columbia University. Columbia professors and authors of the groundbreaking book, “Sexual Citizens: Sex, Power and Assault on Campus,” Jennifer S. Hirsch and Shamus Khan will be on hand to share powerful insights from their work.

Sexual Citizens on April 28, in Doheny Memorial Library, from 2:00-3:15pm
This event is presented by the Academic Senate, the Office of the Provost, the Division of Student Affairs, and USC Student Health and is open to our campus community.

The authors’ approach is steeped in empathy, seeking to explain the social roots of sexual assault, and their book offers a roadmap for how to address these events on university campuses.  “Sexual Citizens” is available through the USC Bookstores (the first 50 registered attendees will receive a complimentary copy, while supplies last) and through the USC Libraries. We urge you to read it.

Throughout April, we will demonstrate our heartfelt commitment to empower survivors with activities that support their resilience, hope, and healing, and we encourage our community to learn more about this topic to increase awareness, prevention, and knowledge.

This year, many of you have been involved in the serious and thoughtful conversations about the issue of sexual assault and its impact on students. From the USC Campus Task Force Report, which included research collected from surveys of our own students’ experiences, to the discussions with our Working Group on IFC Culture, Prevention, and Accountability, we have taken important steps toward reducing harm to our students and continue to move toward eliminating their impact on campus.

Our work toward a diverse, inclusive and equitable educational experience is an ongoing and evolutionary process, and you play an important part in that progress. We look forward to continuing this work together and we hope to see you on April 28 for this important event.