BYU is observing National Sexual Assault Awareness Month for the first time since the Advisory Council conducted a self-study about sexual assault last summer.
As a result of the self-study, a report was published in October 2016 highlighting issues the school has with sexual assault and offering suggestions for change.
Among the most prominent of these changes was the appointment of Tiffany Turley as the new Title IX coordinator and Lisa Leavitt as a victim advocate at the beginning of the semester.
Turley heads the Title IX office. She worked previously as the manager of Women’s Services and Resources for two years and also worked in various administrative positions for the Department of Workforce Services in Utah for several years.
“The recommendations that we have been given through the self-study . . . will help fast forward us into an era where I see BYU actually being a leader,” Turley said.
A Title IX coordinator position has existed at BYU for over five years, but this is the first year it is a unique position. Prior to this change, the Title IX coordinator had to juggle other positions and responsibilities. Now, Turley will be able to give more specific attention to sexual assault issues.
Lisa Leavitt, a licensed psychologist at BYU, is the first person to fill the new victim advocate position. She has worked for BYU’s Counseling and Psychological Services for over 10 years and is a member of the Utah Sexual Assault Task Force.
'I think they did a great job in the study of being pretty honest and addressing some really good solutions,” Leavitt said.