University of Iowa officials are moving forward with the latest step in a university-wide plan to prevent sexual misconduct on campus.

UI President Sally Mason announced Monday that additional funding would be allocated to support three new positions focused on prevention education.

The positions will be located in the UI Women’s Resource and Action Center as well as the Rape Victim Advocacy Program.

The funding will allow WRAC to welcome a new full-time prevention specialist, as well as increase one half-time position to full-time.

The changes will also focus on enhancing the Men’s Antiviolence Council, as well as partnerships with other UI organizations. Efforts will also be made to educate students in athletics and fraternity and sorority life to be peer leaders, as well as creating a greater faculty presence to combat the issue.

The allocation of funds will also enable RVAP to add a new full-time position focused on sexual-violence prevention. The position is scheduled to be filled by Nov. 1.

“The university is committed to doing everything in its power to prevent sexual violence, provide support to survivors, and hold offenders accountable,” Mason said in a statement. “We will continue to address this problem and create a culture in which sexual assault isn’t tolerated.”

— by Lily Abromeit