COLUMN: How does FAU handle sexual misconduct? We want to hear your story.
My name is Kayla Barnes and I am writing a story about how Florida Atlantic University handles sexual misconduct.
I am reaching out to you— students, faculty, staff and alums— to invite you to share your experiences and/or perspectives on this matter.
Any kind of information is useful. Even if you did not report, if it happened a long time ago, or if you choose not to go on the record.
I believe it is crucial to examine FAU’s policies and practices and the support systems it offers students.
To clarify, FAU defines sexual misconduct as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
It can affect anyone regardless of gender, and perpetrators can also be of any gender.
I understand the sensitivity of this topic and respect your privacy. You can choose to remain anonymous and I will ensure the confidentiality of your information.
I will not ask you for a detailed recounting of acts of sexual violence. I will also not ask you for the name of the aggressor or any other personal questions. This article is not about one particular case but rather the general handling of cases.
I am interested in what happened after the misconduct. For example, did you go to Victim Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, or any other FAU organization and what was your experience? This may give future survivors information on what to expect.
Again, any information is helpful and appreciated. You can help me write an informed and comprehensive piece, even if you choose to remain anonymous to the public.
Contact me by email at kbarnes2019@fau.edu.
If you don’t want me to know your identity, submit to this one-question survey. Emails and names are not collected.
The information you provide will not be quoted or referenced in the article. But it will provide direction during the reporting process.
Kayla Barnes is a contributing writer for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, you can reach Kayla at kbarnes2019@fau.edu.
Latest University Press
- Staff Predictions: Majority of staff predicts 0-2 start for the OwlsFlorida Atlantic’s football team (0-1) is coming off a 16-10 loss to Michigan State University last Friday. They had the opportunity to secure the game in their final drive, but quarterback Cam Fancher was short on the final fourth down. On Saturday, FAU will be playing in their home stadium, Howard Schnellenberger Field, to take...
- ‘A lot of dictates are coming from the Board of Governors’: FAU stakeholders continue to raise concerns during presidential listening sessionA week after Florida Atlantic University’s first Presidential Search listening session on Aug. 29 — where students were noticeably sparse — the Buffkin/Baker search firm, which the search committee has hired to assist in the search for a new president, held the second listening session of the semester on Thursday. Different FAU stakeholders brought up...
- FAU’s New Era Barbershop: ‘The Poor Man’s Country Club’The New Era Barbershop on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus has served as “the poor man’s country club” for students on campus, according to shop owner Angel Santana. “When you think about the country club feel, it’s a membership. It’s people that get together and talk about politics, sports or anything,” said Santana. “The...
- Continuing his penmanship: Brandin Bryant’s release of his second book and the life lessons withinFlorida Atlantic University football alumnus and published children’s book author Brandin Bryant has published again with the release of his sophomore book “Can I Pet That Dog?” “It’s a fun, goofy book about a kid who just can’t keep his hands to himself and he wants to touch a dog, but the dog has boundaries....
- FAU Hockey: Overview of the Division III team’s first seasonAfter having a Division II hockey team for 22 years, Florida Atlantic University is introducing a Division III hockey team for the upcoming season. Both teams are members of AAU College Hockey and the College Hockey South Conference (CHS). Head coach Andrew Yagoda, director of the Florida Panthers Scholastic Hockey League, wrote in an email...
- FAU students continue to build bridges in Eswatini, AfricaThe Florida Atlantic University Bridge Program sends civil engineering students to Eswatini, a country in Southeast Africa, annually to construct cable-suspended footbridges that connect the local communities to essential services. FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science established this program in 2020 with Engineers in Action (EIA), a civil and social organization. Since then, the...