You can initiate change on your campus. Students, faculty, and administrators can help develop a safer, more responsive campus environment. Consider the benefits of partnering with campus groups such as a women's resource center, victim assistance office, or other student organizations that may be likely sources for assistance and partnerships.

• Know your rights
  Learn about sexual assault laws such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
  
  
• Learn self-defense
  Many colleges offer self-defense classes and some even provide physical education credit. In these courses women learn to protect themselves and different ways to say "no."
  
  
• Post flyers
  Flyers help raise awareness and provide information to the college community.
  
  
• Get men involved
  Men: Act gives men 10 ways that they can help prevent violence against women.
  
  
• Bring outside experts to campus
  Outside experts can benefit the college community by giving lectures, offering special programs, and providing staff training. Organizations that can help identify speakers include
  
  
  • Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER) -— a nonprofit organization committed to empowering students to hold colleges accountable for sexual assault in their on- and off-campus communities. Programs like SAFER develop leaders, expand dialogue, and create alternatives.
  • National Consortium for Academics and Sports — offers a Mentors in Violence Prevention Program that provides varying programs depending on the needs of the institution. It requests a minimum of 14 hours of gender violence prevention training.
  
  
• Perform a campus assessment
  Evaluate your campus to determine its safety and atmosphere. A questionnaire can assist with this assessment and allows for privacy and anonymity. The results of the questionnaire can point to areas where change is needed.
  
  
• Enhance student outreach, prevention, and education initiatives
  Student speakers during freshman orientation, interactive theater troupes, and peer educator programs can promote education and safety. The University of California, Berkeley and Baruch College offer examples. Screening documentaries can also raise awareness and provide education on campuses. The documentary Breaking the Silence, a production by Rowan University students Corry Jean and James Dowd, focuses on incidents of acquaintance rape through interviews.

Note: All resources were verified September 28, 2004.

 Return to sexual assault on campus