Student-athletes at California State University, Stanislaus are joining collegiate athletes nationwide to take a stand against sexual violence as part of the “Stop Abuse Campaign.”
Among many initiatives, Warrior Athletics produced a public service video to voice student-athletes’ pledge to stand up against crimes against students.
The mission of the Stop Abuse Campaign is to help prevent crimes against CSU Stanislaus students. The campaign strives to educate students on how to not perpetuate crimes against others and avoid sexual violence and stalking.
The "Warriors Take A Stand Against Sexual Violence" video (shown below), which will be featured on various websites and social media platforms at CSU Stanislaus, highlights student-athletes representing all 14 intercollegiate athletics teams, as well as the cheer team.
"I am very proud of our student-athletes and staff for producing this video. It sends a message to the campus and local community on our stance against sexual violence," stated Director of Athletics Michael Matoso. "It is also an opportunity for us to have more dialogue on this issue as we are always trying to educate our student-athletes on being positive members of the community."
The public service video project grew out of Warrior Athletics' compliance services, which supports CSU Stanislaus' Title IX Coordinators' Stop Abuse Campaign, as well as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
"Campus sexual assault has become a focus of public discussion and a concern for college campuses across the country" said Kim Duyst, Associate Athletic Director, Senior Woman Administrator and Title IX Coordinator for athletics at CSU Stanislaus. "Student-athletes have a unique status and influence with their fellow students and the campus community, so we hope to use that influence of our student-athletes to help our campus join in the movement of zero tolerance against sexual violence and assault."
Recently, a CSU Stanislaus student became the victim of a sexual assault on campus. The incident occurred on Jan. 29, later reported on Feb. 4, when a female student was allegedly sexually assaulted by another students in the dorms.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was not in custody when the university announced the sexual assault, however they are investigating the incident and have restricted the suspect’s access to the campus.
Despite the recent report, CSU Stanislaus remains a safe campus, according to recent statistics, thanks to campaigns like the Stop Abuse Campaign.
Both a Safe Campus Committee and “Warrior Watch” have been actively encouraging students to report crimes and become educated to make CSU Stanislaus as safe as possible.
For more information on the CSU Stanislaus Stop Abuse Campaign, please visit www.csustan.edu/stopabuse.
Video courtesy of Warrior Athletics