MTSU is creating a new position on campus in an effort to combat sexual assault cases, according to a release from the university.
It will be the responsibility of the new coordinator to respond immediately to reported sexual assault incidents and “help the victims navigate the university’s judicial and administrative processes.”
“Our desire is to help put someone in place from our department who can work with these people who might be victims to help them discover the right pathway for them,” said Buddy Peaster, chief of university police, in a statement to MTSU.
Other responsibilities would include creating on campus-wide sexual assault prevention education and creating policies to help reduce sexual assaults. The liaison would be expected to coordinate efforts among other on-campus entities that traditionally have dealt with sexual assault victims, such as the June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students, the Student Counseling Center, Health Services, Health Promotion and the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance.
According to Peaster, situations that would require the liaison’s assistance include, for example, getting victims out of classes attended by alleged perpetrators or out of housing where alleged perpetrators also live.
The coordinator’s position is grant-funded for three years with renewal contingent on additional funding, according to the release from the university. However, Peaster said his intention is that the position ultimately becomes a permanent one as the tremendous growth in Murfreesboro over the past few years has resulted in a greater need for services.
The sexual assault intervention liaison coordinator’s position is posted at MTSU’s job site. Applications will close on Monday, Oct. 26.
For more information, contact Peaster at 615-898-2426 or [email protected] or MTSU’s Office of Human Resources at 615-898-2929.
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To contact news editor Sarah Grace Taylor, email [email protected].