WSU Hosts Two Advocates from Hunting Ground Documentary

OGDEN, Utah – Two of the most influential voices in the national conversation about sexual assault on college campuses will bring their message to Weber State University as part of a two-day event Oct. 12 and 13.

Annie Clark and Andrea Pino were among five students who filed a federal Title IX complaint against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lodged with the U.S. Department of Education, the complaint alleges the women were sexually assaulted, and the university then failed to take appropriate action to make them safe on campus.

The two studied federal and state sexual assault laws and began to link advocates and victims at universities from coast to coast. “The Hunting Ground,” a gripping, award-winning and controversial documentary, chronicles their efforts and tells the stories of many others who have experienced sexual assault.

“It is because of survivors and activists like Annie and Andrea that the White House put together a task force to address violence on college campuses, resulting in much more support and resources for survivors, through programs such as Safe@Weber,” said Paige Davies, the WSU Women’s Center Safe@Weber advocate.

Institutions across the country are grappling with how to best educate campus communities about sexual assault and violence prevention. They want everyone to understand what constitutes consent, how and when to safely intervene and where victims can turn for help.

Weber State has collaborated with groups such as the Women’s Center, Campus Police, the Chief Diversity Officer, Diversity & Inclusive Programs, and the office of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity to develop a comprehensive Safe@Weber campaign. The campaign’s message will be highlighted in forums and events all year. Safe@Weber includes mandatory online training for students, staff and faculty, a website with resources for victims, and peer mentors for education and support.

Clark and Pino will broaden the Weber State conversation by sharing their personal experience and advice. They will speak about student rights under Title IX and how to take social action. The two cofounded End Rape on Campus, a nonprofit organization that counsels and advocates on behalf of sexual assault survivors. They worked with New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to write the bipartisan Campus Safety and Accountability Act and have spoken to groups around the country.

The events surrounding their visit to Weber State include a screening of “The Hunting Ground,” on Oct. 12 and two presentations on Oct. 13. The public is invited to attend the free events. RSVP at https://bit.ly/wsuempower. Limited free childcare is available if requested by Oct. 7, and both presentations will have American Sign Language interpreters. Contact the Women’s Center for other accommodations.

“The time to support survivors is now,” said Stephanie McClure, Women’s Center director. “Each and every one of us has the power to help prevent violence; please join us in learning how to create healthy, respectful and safe communities for all.”

Event Times and Locations

Oct. 12

Film Screening
6 p.m. “The Hunting Ground” (103 minutes)
Weber State University Davis Building 3 Room 110

Oct. 13

Empowering Students to Social Action, Annie E. Clark and Andrea Pino
10:30-11:30 a.m. Title IX Student Rights lecture
Student Union Ballroom A.

7 p.m. A Toolbox for Social Action keynote
Shepherd Union Ballroom B

Visit weber.edu/womenscenter/safeatweber.html for more information about  violence prevention and advocacy services. Watch the live stream of these events at https://bit.ly/wsuempower.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu

Contact:

WSU Women's Center
801-626-6090 • womenscenter@weber.edu