A Decade Later, Campuses Need ‘It’s On Us’ More than Ever

National sexual assault prevention organization It’s On Us celebrates 10 years of changing campus culture while continuing to push for enhanced federal protections for survivors

This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, It’s On Us celebrates 10 years of advocacy and leadership in campus sexual assault prevention. Over the past decade, legislative and regulatory changes have shaped how campuses address and prevent campus sexual assault, and It’s On Us has been on the ground centering students, supporting survivors and fighting for federal protections.

It’s On Us was created in 2014 by the Obama-Biden Administration in response to the rise in national consciousness around sexual assault as a widespread campus issue. As the Trump Administration and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos systematically dismantled Title IX protections, It’s On Us stepped up to support students and institutions. Today, It’s On Us is stepping up yet again to prioritize grassroots solutions to campus safety after the Department of Education once again missed its March deadline to finalize Title IX regulations.

“10 years ago, we set out to address the national epidemic of campus sexual assault and change campus cultures around the country,” said Tracey Vitchers, Executive Director of It’s On Us. “We have come so far, launching chapters on more than 350 campuses, creating unique peer-to-peer prevention training and leading cutting-edge research to engage college men as part of the solution. But it’s clear that campuses need this work now more than ever. As we wait through delay after delay on updated Title IX guidelines, It’s On Us continues to support students and give them the tools to create change on their own campuses. No matter the regulatory backdrop of the next 10 years, I’m so proud to dive into the work ahead.”

“It’s On Us has emboldened me and my chapter to be strong, persistent and dedicated in our determination to end the epidemic of sexual violence on college campuses,” said Louis DiPede, It’s On Us Fraternity Caucus Chair and Temple University student. “I am so grateful for the amazing support system from the entire It’s On Us team for truly investing in their campus leaders.”

Some centerpieces of this work in the past decade include:

• Research: It’s On Us conducted first-of-its-kind research on engaging college men, specifically college athletes, in campus sexual assault prevention. Both qualitative and quantitative research from It’s On Us has found that male students are key to effective prevention efforts, yet current prevention programming is ineffective. Research also indicated that male student athletes can be powerful culture-setters on campus and have unique prevention needs. It’s On Us uses these research findings to develop intentional, relevant training and programming, such as the Playbook on Sexual Assault Prevention & Healthy Relationships.
• Partnerships: Alongside key partners, It’s On Us takes a holistic and creative approach to campus safety and reaching students, including: reaching male student-athletes with this research with the support of the NFL; getting students home safely with Uber granting thousands of free rides to campuses; creating specialized trainings on intimate partner violence with YSL Beauty; and updating SnapMaps with Snapchat to increase campus safety.
• Advocacy for Title IX and #EdActNow: In response to increased reports of sexual violence on campuses nationwide during the 2021-2022 school year, students led more than 300 protests, calling not only for better survivor resources and Title IX protections, but also for accountability for perpetrators. As a leader of the #EdActNow coalition, It’s On Us has consistently urged the Department of Education to protect student survivors, starting with delivering a petition with 50,000 signatures calling on the Department to restore student survivors’ rights and make college campuses safer in 2021.

  Today, It’s On Us continues to call upon the Department of Education to finalize its updated guidelines that prioritize the protection of all students and survivors.

This past weekend, It’s On Us celebrated its 10-year milestone with a Summit at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. At the Summit, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Khalid Mumin highlighted It’s On Us PA, a statewide campaign that has provided grants totaling nearly $8.7 million to 100 Pennsylvania post-secondary institutions to enhance campus safety and combat sexual assault. Don McPherson, former pro football player and advocate, also joined to discuss engaging men in campus sexual assault prevention. And students from Pennsylvania and around the country came together to share best practices for organizing and advocacy on campus.

Press interested in speaking with Tracey Vitchers, Executive Director of It’s On Us, should contact press@civicnation.org.