Publications

Nationwide Progress on Campus Climate Surveys: A Snapshot

Climate surveys are used to measure the prevalence of sexual assault on campus, test students’ attitudes and awareness about the issue, and provide invaluable information for crafting solutions. This document provides a sample of initiatives that are helping colleges and universities make climate surveys valuable resources for ending sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking on campuses. The focus of this summary is on efforts to improve climate surveys and to support schools as they conduct them.

Campus Climate Survey Validation Study Highlights Powerpoint Slides

These slides highlight key findings from the Campus Climate Survey Validation Study, with useful charts and graphs illustrating the rates of sexual assault of college students, to whom students report assaults, when assaults occur, and what aspects of campus “climate” are correlated with higher rates of sexual assault. The charts in these slides are all pulled from the Campus Climate Survey Validation Study.

Draft Instrument for Measuring Campus Climate Related to Sexual Assault

In the Draft Instrument for Measuring Campus Climate Related to Sexual Assualt, a summary of the survey instruments used for the The Campus Climate Survey Validation Study (CCSVS) that was conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and RTI International is shared. Based on the results of the CCSVS, in January 2016 a revised survey instrument was developed for the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault (Notalone.gov) to share with schools and researchers interested in conducting campus climate surveys.

Lessons for Campuses Conducting Sexual Assault Surveys from the Campus Climate Survey Validation Study (CCSVS)

In the Lessons for Campuses Conducting Sexual Assault Surveys by Dr. Vickie Banyard (University of New Hampshire), a summary of some key lessons that emerged from the Campus Climate Survey Validation Study Final Technical Report that builds upon issues raised in the Not Alone toolkit are provided. This tool provides campuses with information how measures and participants were chosen and participants were motivated to take the survey.

Institutional Title IX Requirements for Researchers Conducting Human Subjects Research on Sexual Violence and other Interpersonal Violence

This white paper from the University of New Hampshire Prevention Innovations Research Center provides information on how university and college Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and IRB administrators can oversee, and researchers can conduct, research investigating the different aspects of sexual violence while maintaining participant confidentiality.

FACT SHEET: The Campus Climate Survey Validation Study

This fact sheet provides a succinct overview of key findings from the Campus Climate Survey Validation Study.

Sexual Assault and Study Abroad

Sexual Assault Victimization Among Female Undergraduates During Study Abroad: A Single Campus Survey Study William F. Flack, Jr., Matthew O. Kimble, Brooke E. Campbell, Allyson B. Hopper, Oana Peterca, and Emily J. Heller Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2015; 30:3453-34 doi:10.1177/0886260514563833

Kimble, M., Flack, W. F. Jr., & Burbridge, E. (2013). Study abroad increases risk for sexual assault in female undergraduates: A preliminary report. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 5, 426-430. doi:10.1037/a0029608

U.S. College Football Coach Expectations About Off-Field Conduct and Bystander Intervention

Coach Expectations About Off-Field Conduct and Bystander Intervention by U.S. College Football Players to Prevent Inappropriate Sexual Behavior. Kroshus, E. , Paskus, T., & Bell, L. (2015). Journal of Interpersonal Violence, DOI: 10.1177/0886260515605122 jiv.sagepub.com

It’s On Us Engaging Men: National Campus Sexual Assault Attitudes and Behaviors Research Report

There is an urgent need in higher education to research prevention education programming that educates and empowers young men to be a part of the solution to sexual violence on college campuses. It’s On Us partnered with HauckEye to conduct a first-of-its-kind qualitative study exploring the attitudes and perceptions of male-identiyfing students and their likelihood to get involved in the prevention of gender-based violence on campus.

The Research Project collected information on the types of prevention programming schools are conducting, as well as their effectiveness, reach, and possible gaps by using an exploratory qualitative method in order to better understand the experiences, attitudes, and behaviors of young college men. This research method was chosen for its ability to explain behavior that cannot be easily quantified by allowing participants to detail their experiences and feelings.

California Governor and Legislature Fail to Fund Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Programs and Critical Services Needed to End Cycles of Violence

Survivors, Advocates & Prevention Practitioners Call for the Legislature to Ensure Comprehensive Approach to Addressing Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence

SACRAMENTO —The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, VALOR, the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, and the Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Network are deeply disappointed that the final budget from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature has failed to not only include funding for a comprehensive response to sexual and domestic violence, but omits continued funding for existing prevention programs. Prevention matters. Prevention works. Prevention needs investment.

Governor’s May Revision Fails to Fund Critical Services Needed to End Cycles of Violence

Survivors, Advocates & Preventionists Call for the Legislature’s Leadership to Ensure Comprehensive Approach to Addressing Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence in Final Budget

SACRAMENTO —The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, VALOR, the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, and the Culturally Responsive Domestic Violence Network are alarmed that Governor Gavin Newsom failed to include funding for sexual and domestic violence prevention in his May Budget Revision. Domestic and sexual violence are not inevitable and can be prevented with long-term initiatives that educate and equip Californians to change unacceptable social norms and systems that perpetuate violence. Prevention programs establish new belief systems and behaviors that promote emotional healing and mental wellbeing. Without ongoing funding to galvanize communities to offer healthy and safe alternatives, cycles of violence will persist throughout the state. In their final budget decisions, we call on the Governor and the California legislature to allocate $15 million in ongoing funding for prevention programs as well as an additional $25.5 million for under-resourced and over-represented communities to support culturally specific responses, innovations, and holistic approaches to end violence for future generations.

Statement by ValorUS on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Taking Action to Support Refugees Worldwide

SACRAMENTO, CA – ValorUS (VALOR) joins the entire world in mourning the reckless loss of life, destruction, and human suffering that has occurred in recent weeks as a result of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. President Putin’s unconscionable decision to assert control by attacking a sovereign neighbor nation strikes a familiar nerve with survivors of sexual violence, and VALOR unequivocally condemns this shameful abuse of power. We stand in solidarity with the peace-seeking people of Ukraine and encourage leaders of the world to work together in finding a solution that does not result in more catastrophic harm for Ukrainians.

VALOR Received Federal and State Prevention Funding

SACRAMENTO, CA – ValorUS (VALOR) has recently received almost $2 million in federal and states funds to support VALOR’s work to build sexual and domestic prevention capacity of local, state and territorial organizations. The Centers for Disease Control and revention (CDC) awarded with a $1,035,000, three-year cooperative agreement to operate PreventConnect, an E-Learning collaborative for Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention.

Governor Newsom’s January Budget Fails to Include Critical Funding for Preventing Sexual & Domestic Violence.

SACRAMENTO, CA – ValorUS and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence are deeply disappointed at the failure to include funding to prevent sexual and domestic violence in Governor Newsom’s January budget. Despite significant investments in policing and criminalization as a response to rising concerns about public safety, the Governor’s budget ignores promising strategies that address the root causes of violence, and fails to place any focus on preventing domestic and sexual violence before they occur entirely.

ValorUS (formerly the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault) commends the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for approving a $9M settlement agreement with Uber concerning the reporting of data related to sexual harassment and assault.

SACRAMENTO — Valor US (formerly the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault) and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence applaud the Governor for signing the state Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget into law, including $15 million for sexual and domestic violence prevention efforts and $100 million in funding for crime victim services in the 2021 Budget.

Governor Newsom Signs Budget With Needed Prevention and Victim Services Funding

SACRAMENTO — Valor US (formerly the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault) and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence applaud the Governor for signing the state Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget into law, including $15 million for sexual and domestic violence prevention efforts and $100 million in funding for crime victim services in the 2021 Budget.

Legislature’s Budget Provides Needed Prevention and Victim Services Funding

SACRAMENTO — Valor US (formerly the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault) and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence applaud the State Assembly and Senate Budget Committees for approving $15 million for sexual and domestic violence prevention efforts and $100 million in funding for crime victim services in the 2021 Budget adopted by budget committees today.

Governor’s May Revision Provides Needed Victim Services Funding Advocates Praise the Governor’s Action, Call for Additional Focus on Long Term Funding Stability & Investment in Prevention

SACRAMENTO — Valor US (formerly the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault) and the
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence commend Governor Newsom for including $100 million in funding for crime victim services, including sexual assault and domestic violence programs, in his May Budget Revision. This critical funding will help protect survivors of sexual and domestic violence and put our state on a stronger path to healing from devastating harm. At the same time, our coalitions are disappointed that funding to prevent sexual and domestic violence were left out, especially since many communities are struggling to sustain this work without a state investment last year. As many Californians seek services after being confined to abusive households during this pandemic, the need to stop violence and support survivors has never been more urgent.

ValorUS Leads Nationally to Advance Equity and End Sexual Violence California Coalition Against Sexual Assault Announces Name Change

(Sacramento, CA) The California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) today announced it has changed its name to ValorUS (VALOR) to reflect its national leadership in advancing equity and ending sexual violence. The work of the coalition on behalf of Rape Crisis Centers that serve as California’s Safety Net continues under the allied name of ValorCalifornia.

CALCASA Stands in Solidarity with Racial Justice Advocates: Criminalization Will Not End Sexual Violence

SACRAMENTO, June 2, 2020 — The fight to end sexual violence in the United States has always also required a concurrent fight against racism. Prejudice and discrimination on the basis of both sex and race are woven together in the issue of sexual violence, and so we cannot effectively combat one without combatting the other. As the nation grapples with renewed attention on police brutality, and vulnerable communities continue to endure violence and oppression that has been with this country since its founding, we are reminded of our critical commitment to center anti-racism in our work, and to truly assert the fundamental dignity of all people. Black Lives Matter.

California budget proposal excludes funding to prevent sexual and domestic violence. Dedicated funding urgently needed to address root causes of an ongoing crisis

“Governor Gavin Newsom introduced his draft budget today, and the Partnership and CALCASA were disappointed to see California neglect to make any investment in the prevention of sexual & domestic violence. In California, 86% of women and 53% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime, and an estimated 1.6 million women and men experience domestic violence each year.

Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going: Mobilizing Men and Boys to Prevent Gender-Based Violence

This report is a summary of the day-and-a-half national roundtable discussion at the Department of Justice building on “Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going: Mobilizing Men and Boys in the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence.” The roundtable brought together a diverse group of men and women who are national and local experts and leaders in their respective fields. During the roundtable, participants spent time discussing barriers and gaps to more broadly engaging men and boys; how healthier forms of masculinity can play a role in mobilizing a broad spectrum of men and boys; strategies to build the capacity to collaborate with local, state, and national stakeholders; and next steps to guide and inform a national movement to mobilize a wide spectrum of men and boys in the prevention of gender-based violence.

Not Alone: First Report of the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault

This report created by the Task Force to Protect Student From Sexual Assault brings together some action steps and recommendations towards addressing sexual assault on college and university campuses.