To the Davidson College Administration,

The Davidson College student body is currently facing a pivotal reckoning with sexual violence on campus. With the return of in-person social gatherings this year, we have inevitably also witnessed and experienced a significant increase in sexual violence. Highlighting the courageous testimonies and activism by survivors, we, as members of the Davidson community, are determined to add momentum in translating heightened public awareness about sexual violence into tangible support for survivors. While holistically addressing sexual violence within Davidson’s campus (and society as a whole) will require extensive efforts, we believe that the Davidson Administration has the capability to remove structural barriers which hinder survivors from finding justice and to provide more resources for survivors’ healing. Thus, we, the signers of this petition, demand the following actions to take place:

1. Appointment of additional Title IX investigator for Davidson College
2. Increased on-campus counselors and counseling service resources
3. Increased funding for resources for survivors of sexual violence

1. Appointment of additional Title IX investigator for Davidson College
Currently, Davidson College has only one Title IX coordinator responsible for all reported cases of sexual harassment and sexual violence on campus. While the college officially received a total of 76 alleged sexual misconduct reports during the past three academic years (Three-Year Summary of Sexual Misconduct Reports), this statistic is likely an underestimate of actual cases of sexual violence because survivors can choose not to undergo the Title IX process for many reasons, one of which being mistrust for its effectiveness. Survivors who do report to Title IX often point out delays in communication and meeting appointments. This delay seems inevitable considering a single person is working through every step of the Title IX process for every report.

The Title IX office must provide confidence in survivors that Title IX is a path worth pursuing. To do so, the Title IX office must have sufficient capacity to communicate with survivors, investigate reports in detail, and offer supportive adjustment measures for survivors. Only by ensuring that survivors can trust the functionality of the process would Title IX become a legitimate option for survivors seeking justice. With added capacity, the Title IX office would additionally be able to facilitate restorative justice conversations, advise student organizations and train student leaders as well. Thus, we must increase Title IX capacity through hiring an additional Title IX investigator within the next year. By January of 2023 at the latest, we expect a more fully staffed Title IX office.

2. Increased on campus counselors and counseling service resources
Building upon previous demands of student organizations including Students Against Sexual Violence (SASV), Asian American Initiative, and Student Government Association, we continue to advocate for the expansion of counseling services, especially for survivors of sexual assault. The counseling office does provide group therapy sessions for survivors of sexual violence, but regular counseling appointments are infamous for requiring at least a two week wait. Consequently, students with the physical and financial means take the alternative route of seeking mental health support off campus, limiting access to those without those means. Expanded counseling services would not only benefit the general student body but especially support survivors in their journey of healing. We request the hiring of 3-4 more counselors of color that focus on sexual trauma so that the on campus counseling services are equitable and accessible.

3. Increased funding for resources for survivors of sexual violence
The Davidson Administration must also increase funding for other resources to support survivors of sexual violence. To date, survivors often rely on off-campus and/or student-organized support. For example, Safe Alliance, a sexual violence crisis center provides survivors with an advisor who offers information and support while they go through the legal Title IX process. Safe Alliance also provides survivors with a ride and chaperon to the hospital upon request. SASV also provides critical support for survivors in navigating Davidson’s institutional procedures in the Title IX Office and Center for Health and Wellbeing. Instead of relying on off-campus resources and student-led work, Davidson College should proactively implement services supporting survivors and make institutional procedures more accessible. Due to the on-going hiring of a new Health Educator, we understand that survivors are lacking a critical support system that is usually present through the College. Recognizing the value of existing college resources such as the Health Education office, we hope that these resources’ can also be expanded. If the office had initially had more than two full-time staff at most, the Health Educator hiring process, which is rightly selective and time-consuming, would not have left such a gaping hole in accessible support for survivors. Thus, the Administration should invest in an additional hire to expand the breadth of the Health Education office in the long-term.

Other than these action items, the Administration can also innovatively exhibit a commitment to prevention of sexual violence and support for survivors. Beyond steps that students brainstorm and articulate, the Administration must take initiative to demonstrate their genuine investment in the wellbeing of Davidson students. We hope to witness tangible changes that can improve our collective community.