Posted: Feb 8, 2012 6:44 AM by Breanna Roy (KPAX News)
Updated: Feb 8, 2012 7:27 AM
MISSOULA- It was standing room only for a sexual assault forum at the University of Montana and on Tuesday night community members learned more details about the school's ongoing investigation with many people saying that the discussion is far from over.
Carol Kramer and Dick Adlar live in the University neighborhood and wanted to hear what the school is doing to address nine reported sexual assaults over the past 18 months.
"We wanted to know the limits in which the university could go in dealing with these sexual assaults. What they are doing and what they're planning to do. Just as interested parents, I mean, I have a grandson who's a freshman," Adlar said.
University of Montana President Royce Engstrom says UM already removed three of the nine accused sexual assault suspects from campus through the Student Conduct Code and the school is actively investigating three other reports while three victims no longer want to pursue action.
"From the beginning of these episodes, we have pursued with diligence to do what is right for those students and for our community and to keep people informed as proactively as we can. Again, within the boundaries of that legal confidentiality obligation that we have," Engstrom explained.
Other University leaders also spoke at the forum, outlining new efforts to expand education and resources on sexual assault as well as new prevention programs coming to campus.
"There has been a positive outcome of this and that is, pretty dramatically increased level of dialog about the topic of sexual assault," Engstrom commented.
"I believe they are on the right track and I believe it's probably a good/bad that has happened because I think it has brought it more out in the light that whereas maybe the university wasn't as aware that there is such a problem," Kramer said.
There are student forums scheduled for Monday, February 13th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Wednesday, February 22nd from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. on campus to further discuss the investigation.
UM officials will also bring the group "Men Can Stop Rape" to campus on March 1st and March 2nd with the intention of creating a lasting "Men of Strength" group on campus.
Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns sent a statement requesting all campus leaders statewide to step up their efforts to prevent sexual assault. She's also asking them to update the Board of Regents at their meeting next month.
Student leaders from several Montana campuses will also lead a sexual assault discussion at UM-Western in Dillon on March 3rd.
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