An online tool that NEOMED’s Penny Smith, Ed.D., developed to help colleges and universities report sexual assault and domestic violence is the topic of an article in the August 24 issue of Diverse Issues in Higher Education.
“Since the implementation of Keys to Coping, we are starting to see an influx in reporting. This is a good thing, because we are able to assist survivors with getting the necessary support early,’’ said Stephanie L. Krah, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio—one of four higher education institutions to adopt the tool.
Dr. Smith, an assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine and executive director of Academic Services at NEOMED, told the magazine that Keys to Coping "attempts to help institutions uphold their Title IX responsibilities, while simultaneously giving sexual assault victims the opportunity to control the information they share in order to receive—or not receive—support."
The reporting tool is particularly timely as the Trump Administration revisits Title IX policies. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s proposed new approach to enforcement of campus sexual violence is explored in a collection of articles recently published by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
NEOMED’s Title IX office, under the direction of Rajini Poth, Ph.D. in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, provides education and guidance for students, faculty and staff. Contact Dr. Poth by phone, 330.325.6736, or by email at rpoth@neomed.edu.