Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The newly appointed director of the University of Kansas' new Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center says she is not daunted by the attention the school has received due to issues with sexual violence.
The Lawrence Journal-World (http://bit.ly/1PuqxMx ) reports that the school announced Jennifer Brockman's appointment Wednesday, and that she will start her new job Jan. 20. She is currently the executive director of the University of Iowa's Rape Victim Advocacy Program.
The University of Kansas is among universities that the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is investigating for their handling of sexual violence cases.
The investigation after a complaint regarding sexual assault was filed.
Brockman says that the attention is "energizing," and that it presents the opportunity to place deserved national focus on sexual violence on campus and in communities.
"To have the opportunity to have the national spotlight put on sexual violence on campus and communities, to really have it get the attention it deserves, is amazing," Brockman said. "This is an incredible time in the field of sexual violence work."
The school says that the center will serve as the central coordinating office for the university's sexual assault prevention and education programming. Its creation was prompted by a recommendation from last year's Sexual Assault Task Force. The center will shift education responsibilities from other departments, including Public Safety, Student Affairs and the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, which investigates reports of sexual violence and other forms of discrimination on campus.
Brockman is the new center's first employee, and the university plans to hire two educators and an administrative assistant.
___
Information from: Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
