Strategic plan to address sexual assault prevention released

After several years of research and analysis, Michigan State University recently released an institution-wide plan to address sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence and stalking issues that collectively will help foster a safer campus community.

May 12, 2021

The Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct strategic plan builds on the work of the RVSM Expert Advisory Workgroup, which has been a major driver of RVSM efforts at MSU.

Upon his arrival in 2019, President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. asked the workgroup to develop a five-year strategic plan. The RVSM strategic plan is designed to harmonize with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan and the MSU Strategic Plan.

“Since I arrived at MSU, I’ve been extremely grateful for the expertise and knowledge on the RVSM Expert Advisory Workgroup,” Stanley said. “Their leadership is instituting real change at our university. Under their advisement, it was evident early on that we needed a plan to continue the progress we’ve already made. Addressing global problems through both action and understanding is part of our Spartan way.”

“We have been developing a strategic plan around RVSM for the past few years, focusing on a values-driven approach,” said Andrea Munford, workgroup co-chair. “We believe this is a comprehensive plan to respond to what we have been hearing from the campus community.”

MSU partnered with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Victim Services on several initiatives in this RVSM strategic plan.

“This plan represents a groundbreaking institutional approach to culture change that will serve as a model for other colleges and universities throughout the U.S.,” said Debi Cain, executive director of the Division of Victim Services at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Michigan State University and working toward our shared vision of creating better services for survivors while implementing long-term strategies to prevent sexual violence on college campuses.”

The RVSM strategic plan aims to increase help-seeking rates and decrease the incidence of RVSM by developing trauma-informed, intersectional programs to address the needs of MSU’s diverse communities.

The plan outlines several recommendations along with a list of actions and a timeline for measuring this work to track and evaluate the university’s progress toward meeting the goals of the presented initiatives.

“We heard clearly from MSU students, faculty, staff and alumni that we need a significant culture change in our institutional approach to RVSM,” said Dr. Rebecca Campbell, workgroup co-chair. “We have worked on identifying policies, programs, training and initiatives that will transform services and prevention and increase accountability.”

The RVSM workgroup will oversee the implementation of changes to policies, organizational structure
and prevention programming in
partnership with the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance; the Prevention, Outreach and Education Department;
the MSU Sexual Assault Health Care Program; the RVSM Policy; and several other initiatives that promote a safer campus.

A full list of changes MSU has made to address RVSM can be found on the Our Commitment website.

RVSM STRATEGIC Plan Key Initiatives

• Expanding trauma-informed services

• Building trauma-informed culture

• Strengthening RVSM policy violations, sanctions and discipline process

• Assessing resources and supports for respondents

• Strengthening RVSM prevention programming

• Creating respectful work environments

• Promoting accountability

Workgroup Co-Chairs

Rebecca Campbell, Ph.D.
Professor of psychology

Andrea Munford
Lieutenant, MSU Police Department
Coordinator, Center for Trauma-Informed
Investigative Excellence