The president of the University of Virginia told students Monday that the report of a woman being gang-raped at a fraternity has convinced her "we have a problem." Teresa Sullivan outlined a series of initiatives to protect women at the school, including stepped-up law enforcement and a focus on underage drinking.
"Alcohol does not cause rape, but alcohol is often a tool of the predator," Sullivan said.
UVA has been roiled by allegations, first reported by Rolling Stone, that seven men raped a woman at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity in 2012. Sullivan said that in response to the uproar, the college will fund a new police substation, increase patrols, provide bystander training, and hire an additional trauma counselor for the Women's Center.
The school has already suspended social activities at all frats, and Sullivan said university officials are working on crafting new agreements that could include changes in the policies and consequences for underage drinking.
"Binge drinking is a problem for us," she said. "We need to take further steps to educate about alcohol and to encourage enforcement."
IN-DEPTH
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