USC Upstate joins rally against campus sexual violence

The University of South Carolina Upstate plans to join a national campus rally supporting survivors of sexual violence, while highlighting prevention education, bystander training and peer-led programming developed through its Connect and Protect initiative. Separate reports underscore concerns about abuse of authority in educational settings: a Ghanaian commentary urges stronger penalties for teachers who sexually exploit students, and a University of Denver professor was found responsible for sexually harassing a graduate student. The university’s civil rights office upheld that finding after the professor appealed; although it had recommended his dismissal, he now works part time off campus and reportedly has no student contact. Together, the accounts emphasize prevention and accountability where educators’ authority can leave students vulnerable.