At a recent SASgov meeting, Paige Wigginton from Penn Special Services gave a presentation on Penn's new policies regarding sexual assault. The biggest takeaway is that all non-criminal complaints against a Penn student, faculty, or staff member will now be handled through the Associate Vice President for Equity (newly created position). If you want to make a criminal complaint with the Philadelphia police, this office will also assist you in filing one. Special Services can set up an appointment and drive you to the Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center if you would like forensic evidence to be collected and they will stay with you and drive you back to Penn or your house.
Additionally, here is a list of confidential resources you can talk to on campus: CAPS, Penn Women’s Center, Student Health Service, Special Services, Sexual Violence Prevention & Education, LGBT Center, Office of the Chaplain, Office of the Ombudsman, African American Resource Center. You do not need to make a formal report in order to receive support, which can include no-contact directives, flexibility on academic deadlines, and even help with off-campus housing.
The full powerpoint outlining the new policy can be found in the gallery below. It will also be posted to the resource library.
If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to our GSS SASgov representative, Samantha Love.
