Prevention and Education

Wharton, as part of the University of Pennsylvania, is dedicated to fostering a campus environment free from sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence and discrimination. Penn offers programs and education to prevent harassment, discrimination, and violence on campus.

A Community Commitment

Wharton aims to create a diverse and inclusive culture, and that includes an environment that is free of harassment and discrimination. Every member of the Wharton community has a responsibility to be respectful to each other and to encourage respectful engagement among others.

Sexual harassment is a community problem that needs community-based solutions — it’s on all of us. Students, student groups, staff, and faculty all play important roles on campus in creating culture, setting standards for appropriate behavior, and supporting students.

Some harassment and discrimination happens in private, but much of it — for example, offensive jokes and comments — happens in front of bystanders. If you witness sexual harassment or gender discrimination, you can refuse to participate or take action by defusing the situation, speaking out publicly, offering support privately, reporting the conduct, or encouraging the person who is harassed to speak to a confidential resource.

Get Involved

Penn Violence Prevention offers a number of comprehensive educational programs to better inform the campus community about sexual harassment and assault, how to recognize, and how to respond. All Penn students and groups can register to attend, or you can request a presentation, training, and workshop for your group to be individualized based on the particular needs of the audience.

What Penn and Wharton Are Doing to Prevent Sexual Harassment

  • University resource offices provide the community information on available informal and formal resolution resources, resources for support, and information for complainants and respondents.
  • Deans and heads of centers and departments are encouraged to discuss the policy and issues of sexual harassment at faculty and staff meetings.
  • Training programs for faculty, staff, and students who work in the College Houses and others who assist students in crisis situations and serve in an advisory capacity to students include information about referrals, resources, and methods for handling complaints of sexual harassment.
  • Students are provided with information about sexual harassment and available resources during new student orientations and throughout the academic year.
  • The University publishes a policy statement annually, including information about the resources available to advise, counsel, and assist in the informal and formal resolution of sexual harassment complaints. This explains how and where to contact University-wide and school- and division-specific resources and is posted on appropriate University websites.