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Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services (RSVP) was founded in 1989 as part of the Division of Student Affairs. Originally called the Office of Women’s Issues, its purpose was to decrease sexism, offer rape-prevention programming, provide counseling/advocacy to women experiencing gender-based harm, provide referrals, and maintain a resource library. Kathleen Bartle-Schulweis became the office’s first employee, serving as Women’s Issues Advocate from 1989 until 1993. In 1993, the office hired its first director, Reverend Elizabeth Davenport, who worked at the center until 2003. From 2004-2015, RSVP has been led by various directors including Lori Strauss, LCSW (2004-2006), Karen Minero, Ph.D. (2006-2007), Danielle Lancon, LCSW (2008-2013), and La Shonda Coleman, LCSW (2013-2014).

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Over time, it became clear that the center should provide services to all students, not just with a focus on women. The center’s name developed to the Center for Women and Men, also known as the Sexual Assault Resource Center. In addition, Men CARE, which began in 2005 under the direction of Todd Hennman, was a campus-wide program to end all forms of sexual violence in the USC community through education, cultural change, and leadership development for men. In 2014, due to USC students’ desire to take further initiative in the area of men and masculinity-related issues, Men CARE evolved into a student-led organization entitled The Men and Masculinity Initiative.

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RSVP also advises and works closely with the student organization, Women’s Student Assembly (WSA), which engages the USC community in critical dialogues surrounding feminist issues, oppression, and to raise awareness surrounding a variety of issues, such as body image and sexual assault prevention. WSA provides week-long programming for Take Back The Night and RSVP.

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As of June 1, 2016, the center’s name changed to Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services (RSVP) to best clarify the support for sexual and gender-based harm for students of all gender identities. RSVP is a safe space for students of all gender identities and RSVP staff are committed to providing inclusive and affirming services to all students. Please see our mission statement for further information.