We call on the George Washington University to require comprehensive, recurring sexual violence prevention and bystander intervention training for all fraternity members.

Every student deserves to learn, live, and participate in campus life in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and supported. Sexual assault and harassment continue to affect college communities across the country, and preventing sexual violence must be a shared responsibility.

The recent case involving Jane Doe at Cornell University has highlighted the importance of how universities and student organizations respond to sexual violence. We believe GW must take meaningful steps to ensure that students are equipped to recognize harmful behavior, intervene when appropriate, understand consent, and support survivors.

We urge the George Washington University to:

• Require comprehensive sexual violence prevention training for 100% of fraternity members.
  • Treat sexual violence prevention training as a mandatory membership requirement, similar to existing hazing prevention requirements.
  • Completion should be a condition of active fraternity membership—not simply a requirement backed by a fine.
  • Members who fail to complete the required training by the university’s deadline should not be eligible to participate as active members of their fraternity until the training is completed.
• Include education on consent, sexual assault, harassment, bystander intervention, healthy relationships, and supporting survivors.
• Require this education every semester, rather than treating sexual violence prevention as a one-time training.
• Ensure trainings are evidence-based and developed or delivered by qualified sexual violence prevention professionals.
• Hold student organizations accountable for meeting these prevention and education requirements.

Mandatory education alone will not end sexual violence, but it is an important step toward creating a campus culture that prioritizes prevention, accountability, respect, and survivor support.

We ask GW to take action and make meaningful sexual violence prevention education a standard part of fraternity membership and campus life.