The Task Force on Sexual Respect (now the Sexual Respect Committee) is comprised of trustees, administrators, students, faculty and staff alike who met throughout the 2014-15 academic year to further examine current policies and practices, to better clarify support systems and reporting structures, and to focus on sexual assault and rape education and prevention programs that are tailored for the CalArts community.
In early December 2014, the Task Force identified several short- and long-term goals—many of which have either been implemented or are currently in progress. Members of the Task Force have been making steady progress in several key areas, including: training and education (including prevention and bystander intervention), support and resources, reporting options, policy clarifications and revisions, staffing, and communication. Recognizing that addressing issues of rape culture and sexual respect will require a sustained effort on the part of all CalArts community members, the Task Force will transition into a standing committee (“Sexual Respect Committee”) starting with the 2015-16 academic year. The Task Force/Committee went into retreat in late spring 2015 and early fall 2015 to finish policy revisions as well as to set the group's agenda for the 2015-16 academic year.
As the Committee will reconstitute itself, any interested community member is welcome to get involved.