Department of Higher Education
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Attorney General's Office
Campus leaders from across the state convened in Worcester on September 28, 2016 to share best practices and insights, and attend trainings on violence prevention and response. By encouraging
cross-sector collaboration, the conference focused on a systemic approach to addressing campus safety and violence through governance, planning, protocols, and communication.
Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Joint Committee of Higher Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
President, University of Massachusetts
Together we can ensure #SexualAssault & #DomesticViolence are not just highlighted in April & Oct, but a priority all year. #CampusSafetyMA
— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) September 28, 2016
We must resolve complaints efficiently, fully support survivors, and respect the rights of accused students. #CampusSafetyMA
— Maura Healey (@MassAGO) September 28, 2016
"I hope very much that their experience will not be marked by sexual violence and instead that they...can focus on the life of the mind rather than trying to protect their bodies."
– Catherine E. Lhamon
"Most sexual assault cases are committed by repeat offenders, so even the response can be part of the prevention."
– James Hopper
Traumatic experiences have immediate, powerful and potentially long-lasting effects on the human brain. In his keynote address, James Hopper explains how fear and trauma can alter brain functioning during sexual assault.
Hopper explains brain-based experiences, behaviors and memory characteristics that are, unfortunately, still commonly misunderstood by many who work with victims of sexual assault.
Sexual Assault: Brain, Experience, Behavior, Memory
One-page Handout for Investigators, Advocates and Other Professionals
Handout on Supportive Conversations with Victims
Handout for Interviewers
In January 2016, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education assembled a Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force, consisting of experts from around the state to include higher education Presidents, Campus Police Chiefs, Title IX Coordinators, and student leaders; representatives of the Commonwealth’s executive branch and agencies; and community-based practitioners.
Over the next six months, the Task Force, led by security consulting firm TSG Solutions, Inc., set out to address two risks that threaten our institutions of higher education: active shooter and sexual violence. They conducted a statewide survey designed to assess existing policies and practices on campus safety and violence prevention at the Commonwealth’s 29 public institutions of higher education, reviewed national best practices and emerging research in the associated subject areas, conducted campus visits and interviews with senior staff and students, and provided a comprehensive review of key findings—all of which contributed to the development of recommendations on how to best protect the campus community from harm.
Securing Our Future:
Best Practice Recommendations for Campus
Safety and Violence Prevention
Wow. Let that sink in for a moment... #CampusSafetyMA pic.twitter.com/DfcCkX22Uf
— SHAPE (@SHAPE_FSU) September 28, 2016
Such a privilege to reference President Carters call to action @CarterCenter in my remarks @MassDHE #campussafetyMA pic.twitter.com/HAwAqhSWLs
— Fernando M. Reimers (@FernandoReimers) September 28, 2016
Presidents from (left) @CapeCodCCPrez @BerkshireCC @SeeRCC at today's MA campus safety conference #CampusSafetyMA pic.twitter.com/Fey2KTPwuh
— MA Dept of Higher Ed (@MassDHE) September 28, 2016
Founder, Juliette Kayyem Solutions
Manager, Office of Emergency Management & Business Continuity, MIT
President, Bridgewater State University
President and CEO, Edward Davis, LLC
Director of University Emergency Management and Business Continuity, UMass
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