The Sexual Assault and Violence Education (SAVE) Task Force is composed of student representatives, staff, faculty, and administrators representing various campus divisions, departments, and disciplines. Every task force member is committed to cultivating a vibrant campus life in which all members of the Worcester State community feel welcomed, included, respected, empowered, and valued. Through campus-wide programming, training, and resources, the task force helps to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive campus climate, free of sexual and relational violence.
For more information, interested community members should contact svalois@worcester.edu.
SAVE FY23 Year End Report
SAVE FY22 Year End Report
SAVE FY21 Year End Report
Follow @wsusave on Instagram for up-to-date campus resources and programming.
The SAVE resource guide is a quick reference of on and off campus resources available to support survivors of sexual and relational violence. The resource guide is also located in multiple locations and restrooms throughout campus and is available in English and Spanish.
SAVE Pocket Card (English)
SAVE Guia (Español)
If you have been assaulted, prompt medical and emotional care can make a difference. You have options, from reporting the incident to accessing on or off campus supports.
Please review our What Should I Do If I’m Assaulted? resources.
The impact of sexual violence, relational violence, gender-based discrimination or harassment, stalking, or retaliation may significantly impact how a person feels about themself and those around them. Individual responses may differ and may occur immediately following an event but also may occur much later when triggered by a different event. Some common reactions include:
Review the Friends and Family Toolkit from RAINN for additional strategies on how to help.
Students are most likely to tell a roommate, friend, parent/guardian, family member or partner if they have experienced sexual misconduct. -Worcester State Fall 2023 Sexual Misconduct Survey.
Sexual misconduct, dating violence (also known as intimate partner violence/IPV) and stalking, including cyberstalking, continue to be a concern on college campuses and one that poses a significant risk to students. All forms of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment (including IPV, stalking/cyberstalking and gender based discrimination) are prohibited at Worcester State.
Anyone who experiences gender based discrimination or sexual misconduct (including IPV, stalking or retaliation) is encouraged to report the incident through the Title IX Coordinator and explore their options, rights and resources on the Title IX webpage at worcester.edu/title-ix.
View additional national statistics on our SAVE webpage, and results of our most recent Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey on our Title IX webpage.
Although it can be uncomfortable, it’s important to have conversations with your student about safe sex practices, sexual violence, and navigating unhealthy relationships prior to the start of their first year in college.
According to The Association of American Universities Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct*:
Learn More: RAINN
*Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Townsend, R., Lee, H., Bruce, C., Thomas, G. (2015). Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct. Rockville, MD: Westat.
**Gross, A., Winslett, A., Roberts, M., Gohm, C. (2006). An examination of sexual violence against college women. Violence Against Women, 12, 288–300.
Consent requires a voluntary agreement demonstrated by words or actions by a person with sufficient mental capacity to make a conscious choice to do something proposed by another, free of duress.
Relational violence is a pattern of behaviors by one partner that is used to gain or maintain power and control over another. It also refers to domestic, dating, and intimate partner violence (IPV). Such behavior can be directed against a current spouse, family member, person with whom a child is shared, cohabitant (such as a roommate), or romantic or intimate partner.
All of our relationships exist on a continuum from healthy to unhealthy to abusive. Learn the red flags and warning signs below. Where does your relationship fall?
Relational abuse is not always physical. Understanding the various ways that abuse appears and intersects can prepare you to respond to situations safely for yourself and others:
Learn more about the types of abuse.
If you think your friend or family member is in an abusive or unhealthy relationship it can be difficult to know what to do. One of the most important things you can do is to start a conversation. See the tips below and review additional tips from the One Love Foundation.
Creating a safety plan is an important part of physical and emotional safety. During an unsafe, abusive, or violent situation it can be difficult to think clearly or logically. Proactively preparing a safety plan can help to plan for crises. Plans consist of practical options and supports before, during, or after an unsafe, violent, or abusive situation.
The Rave Guardian app is one of the best ways to improve not only your personal safety on the Worcester State campus but also that of your fellow guardians within your own private safety network. This app can also put you in direct contact with University Police in an emergency.
Review the Rave Guardian app features.
Note: This app is separate from the Rave Alert software used to notify the campus community of incidents such as inclement weather closings or delays.
AN INTERACTIVE GUIDE TO SAFETY PLANNING
