The event was led by Christi Hurt, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, and Rumay Alexander, special assistant to the Chancellor. Attendees discussed in both large and small groups issues surrounding sexual assault.
At the beginning of the conversation, Chancellor Carol Folt told the crowd there would be resources available at the event for those affected by the topic.
“I do know and all of us know that for some people this will be a particularly difficult conversation and we thank you for being here,” Folt said. “The courage everyone has to come to talk about this is something that actually matters a lot.”
Hurt said she has been an advocate of sexual violence prevention since her time as a UNC student working at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center.
“When I was here tromping around in the ’90s, it would have been impossible, I suspect, to get this many people in the Union to talk about sexual violence,” Hurt said.
After giving an overview of the history of laws related to sexual violence and what Title IX is today, Hurt opened the floor for attendees to share their thoughts and experiences.
Students and staff in attendance discussed topics including methods of sexual assault prevention, the role of masculinity in society, UNC’s Haven program and Title IX’s regulations.
Sarah Dickson, a first-year graduate student seeking her master’s in public administration, said she has a little more hope after attending the event.
