White House Launches 'It's On Us' Website, Calls for Men to Take a Definitive Stand Against Campus Sexual Assault
ByThe White House has launched the next campaign in their quest to curb sexual assault on college campuses.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden previously announced "It's On Us," a campaign that appeals to young men to speak out against sexual assault, the Associated Press reported. ItsOnUs.org also went live with a star-studded video asking men to sign the website's pledge.
The video prominently features Jon Hamm, a Hollywood actor who portrays Don Draper in AMC's hit show "Mad Men." Also featured in the video are actresses Kerry Washington, Connie Britton and Rose Byrne; musicians Queslove, Common and Randy Jackson; NBA All-Star Kevin Love and more.
Obama started the White House's initiative to curb sexual assault on college campuses in Jan. when he formed a task force to recommend policy changes that could address what he called "an epidemic." In the following report, titled "Not Alone," the task force cited data that suggested one in every five women in college experience sexual assault.
The White House first released a similar PSA with Hollywood stars like Daniel Craig, Steve Carrell and Benicio Del Torro.
According to the website, "It's On Us" aims "To recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault. To identify situations in which sexual assault may occur. To intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given. To create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported."
The campaign then asks the viewer to pledge to uphold the previous mission statement.
"It's On Us" also acts as a compliment to NotAlone.gov, a website launched to provide support to women who have experienced sexual assault. "It's On Us" urges men to take a stand against sexual assault and, as Joel McHale says in the video, "Stop blaming the victim."