Sacramento State has a new plan to address sexual violence. Here’s what it includes
Sacramento State officials this week unveiled an “action plan” to address sexual violence and bolster campus safety measures following a string of sexual assaults reported during the fall semester.
Among other items, the plan calls for the university to hire additional community service officers, social workers and complaint or Title IX officers; upgrade lighting at problem locations; and create and promote resources including videos and information campaigns regarding available services, such as campus safety escorts and counseling.
The plan, shared Tuesday by university President Robert S. Nelsen, aims to streamline what the document acknowledges as a “cumbersome” reporting process for victims of sexual violence.
Sacramento State has already filled some of the new positions, hiring community service officers to work additional evening and weekend shifts; a pair of student interns tasked with creating outreach materials; and a confidential advocate who will be available on-campus at the American River Courtyard beginning next week.
The university also recently fixed or upgraded some of the lighting around one of its lecture halls, Eureka Hall, with plans to improve lighting fixtures in the lower level of that building this week, according to the plan.
The campaign comes in the wake of multiple instances of sexual assault reported at or near the campus early in the current academic year, including at least five between late September and early November, according to campus authorities.
A suspect sought in connection with two of the assaults, identified in November by campus police as 31-year-old Nida Muhammad Niazy — who had identified himself as a Sacramento State student named “Zayn” — has an active warrant out for his arrest.
University leaders heard input during a town hall in November and created the action plan in response to students’ concern, according to Nelsen. The plan is intended as a “living document” that will be updated as needed, he wrote.
This story was originally published January 25, 2023 at 10:33 AM.
