Community discussions with experts on Title IX and sexual violence

Attorneys Leslie Gomez (left) and Gina Maisto Smith from the Philadelphia-based law firm Pepper Hamilton shared their expertise on the federal laws that impact how universities work to prevent, investigate and respond to sexual violence during a presentation to staff, faculty and students Feb. 11 in Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall. More than 100 members of the Rice community turned out to learn more about Title IX, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other laws. In addition to the regulatory issues, Gomez and Smith discussed the dynamics and “life-altering impact” of sexual harassment and assault on individuals and the university’s culture, resources, policies and procedures for responding to sexual violence, including how victims can navigate the system and how staff members can help support them. The two attorneys also met with students for a community forum and with Rice’s team of first responders and Title IX personnel for a training session. The presentations were sponsored by the dean of undergraduates, Student Wellbeing and Rice Counseling Center, the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Title IX Support and the Student Association Wellbeing Committee as part of the university’s ongoing efforts to prevent sexual violence on campus. (Photo by Jeff Fitlow)