Title IX Update
A concern for the intellectual, emotional, social, physical and spiritual well-being of its students is deeply engrained in Brigham Young University’s identity and purpose. This concern for the total person demands a corresponding commitment to creating an environment that is edifying, secure and safe.
Sexual misconduct (which includes sexual assault, stalking, sexual harassment and dating/domestic violence) destroys such an environment, violates core doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and causes significant trauma for the victim—intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually.
In May 2016, BYU President Kevin J Worthen organized the Advisory Council on Campus Response to Sexual Assault with a charge to identify changes that will help BYU work toward the elimination of sexual assault on campus and determine how to better handle the reporting process for victims of sexual assault. Its final report was published in October 2016 and details the Advisory Council’s findings and recommendations. In a letter to the campus community, President Worthen announced that the university has accepted all 23 of the Advisory Council’s recommendations.
Report of the Advisory Council on Campus Response to Sexual Assault.
In January 2018, Dean Ben Ogles spoke in a campus-wide devotional address on the topic of "Agency, Accountability, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ." His full remarks can be viewed here.
Results of the Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault
BYU has completed and published its report on a survey conducted earlier this year about incidents of sexual misconduct, awareness of resources for victims and perceptions of the campus on this issue.
BYU updates advocate title for sexual assault survivors
Lisa M. Leavitt, a psychologist who has worked in BYU’s student counseling center for more than a decade, was appointed in 2017 as a full-time advocate for victims of sexual assault. In an effort to clarify purpose and better meet the needs of students on campus, BYU is updating the title of victim advocate to sexual assault survivor advocate.
News Release: BYU completes study on sexual assault and implements recommendations
The President’s Council has reviewed and accepted all recommendations from the Advisory Council on Campus Response to Sexual Assault.
The university will immediately implement five recommendations, including the creation of a victim advocate / confidential advisor position and the adoption of an amnesty clause.
News Archive
Brigham Young University has now addressed the 23 recommendations put forward by the Advisory Council on Campus Response to Sexual Assault a year and a half ago and has approved its updated sexual misconduct policy.
In an effort to clarify purpose and better meet the needs of students on campus, Brigham Young University is updating the title of victim advocate to sexual assault survivor advocate.
Lindsay Orchowski of Brown University consulted with BYU in the development of its campus climate survey and shared her reaction to the survey results.