IT’S ON US Campaign embraced by Conclave Delegates

National Conclave delegates assembled in State College, Pennsylvania are unified and begin the implementation of “IT’S ON US” Campaign.

During the recent Conclave over 100 student delegates attended the annual winter meeting to enhance the members’ knowledge of Fraternity and to keep abreast of current topics on campuses across the United States.

The recent partnership with the IT’S ON US Campaign was announced and explained to the men. Chapter members have already embraced the program by bringing it to their campuses.  It’s on us to stop sexual assault by educating our members and our neighbors.

www.itsonus.org

In the United States today, 20% of women are sexually assaulted while in college and mostly in their freshman and sophomore years; and in almost 80% of these cases, she knows her attacker.  Shockingly, only 13% of rape survivors and 2% of incapacitated survivors report the assault; while many survivors, about 40%, fear retaliation by their attacker.  These statistics are unacceptable and have to change.

“Insistence on a High and Clean Moral Standard” – One of the four Landmarks our members uphold as a core value of Alpha Chi Rho.  The following Position Statement is a reaffirmation of our Landmark and commitment that sexual assault will in no way be tolerated among members; and the prevention of sexual assault is our awareness to act.  This includes any form of sexual behavior that is considered abusive and aggressive, whether physical, mental or emotional, including actions that are sexually demeaning to others.  This Position Statement outlines Alpha Chi Rho’s perspective on our role as an organization and as individuals on combating rape and sexual assault.  

1. Commitment to the prevention of campus rape and sexual assault.
   We are committed to the prevention of campus rape and sexual assault and will work to support and promote with educational efforts related to the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SAVE Act) of 2013 required by institutions of higher learning.  Alpha Chi Rho will be active and visible on campuses in preventing rape and sexual assault via educational programs and resources sponsored by local and national organizations that provide a platform of action.  Alpha Chi Rho supports programs focused on preventative education utilizing bystander intervention because all members have a responsibility to take action against assault and abuse in accordance with our Landmarks.
2. Commitment to the increased awareness of education, prevention and victim support.
   We are campus leaders who will promote the awareness of this unacceptable problem on college campuses.  We are in partnership with a multi-platform media campaign and national action plan to shift the way we think about sexual assault called, It’s On Us.  It’s On Us is a rallying cry inviting everyone to step up and realize that the solution begins with us. It’s a declaration that sexual assault isn’t just an issue involving a victim and a perpetrator, but one in which the rest of us have a role to play. We are working to reframe sexual assault in a way that inspires everyone to see it as their responsibility to do something, big or small to prevent it.
3. Commitment to the criminal justice system as the right means for punishing offenders of campus rape and sexual assault.
   In conjunction with the North-American Interfraternity Conference’s position on sexual assault, “we acknowledge that each college and university has unique disciplinary policies and codes of student conduct… Every rape and sexual assault is a serious crime and is best handled through the criminal justice system. Forcing schools to handle these cases under the current legal and regulatory regime creates a system that is not fair to any of the parties involved.”[1]

Alpha Chi Rho was founded at Trinity College in Hartford, CT in 1895.

Our landmarks:

1. Membership from among those who are prepared to realize in word and deed the   Brotherhood of all men.
2. The insistence on a high and clean moral standard.
3. The paramount duty of Brotherly love among members.
4. Judgment not by externals, but by intrinsic worth.  No one is denied membership in Alpha Chi Rho because of race, creed or nationality.

For additional information, please contact Scott Carlson, Chief Executive Officer.