According to the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, 6.3 million Texans have experienced some form of sexual assault in their lifetime. UTRGV has taken into account this problem and has implemented a new online course to help spread awareness.
The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity has partnered with EVERFI, a digital course platform, to create the Sexual Assault Prevention program. This online course educates students to make well-informed decisions regarding issues that may impact them during their university years.
“It’s mandatory, it’s important,” said Florence Nocar, chief institutional Equity and Diversity Officer. “We want everyone to be well informed. We don’t want bad things to happen and in part of that, it’s ensuring that people are educated about our policies. … That’s why this is such a great training.”
If students don’t finish this course by Feb. 19, they will miss out on important information when it comes to preventing sexual misconduct, Nocar said.
All UTRGV students were sent an email regarding the online course with a link to access the program. The course also includes a survey to help personalize the experience and all responses are confidential.
Estefania Hernandez, mass communication junior, said this online course is important to create awareness about sexual assault. However, she also said the university could do better at promoting the program.
“I believe not everyone is aware of this course ’cause not a lot of people pay attention to their emails,” Hernandez said. “With this course, they sent it like a regular email. I believe they should have sent it to us as an important type of email where students are actually gonna open it.”
Once students get to work on the Sexual Assault Prevention program, they will be informed about where UTRGV services are located, phone numbers and what offices provide certain types of support. It also provides practical advice on real-life situations that students may encounter.
Keyla Olmeda, a nursing and physical therapy junior, said this course can bring awareness to all students and faculty at UTRGV.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Olmeda said. “Not many of us are aware of what to do in those situations. It’s really crucial, especially nowadays, that we are hearing more things going around campus and also outside of campus. … It’s good to start [becoming] more aware of this.”
For more information, email OIED@utrgv.edu.
