February 2018
Step In. Stand Up. Is an award-winning campaign here at Texas A&M, aiming to raise sexual assault awareness and reduce sexual violence in the campus community. As the Aggies core values suggest, every single one of us has a commitment to serve our fellow Aggies and protect each other from assault and violence. The first step is to start this conversation and share information for victims and among allies. If you ever wonder how you can get involved in this campaign and contribute to a better campus environment, here are a few tips:
1. Attend a Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training
If you see a sexual assault or violence going on, what should you do? Do you have concerns or questions as to how to effectively help out and be safe at the same time? The Green Dot trainings are designed to give you the confidence and skills you need in order to intervene in difficult situations (do Green Dots). Through videos, group conversation, discussions, role plays, and interactive activities, students will learn about how to detect a red flag situation (Red Dot), the barriers that exist for all of us sometimes when we try to do Green Dots, and how to take the most helpful action for every situation. These free trainings often last for three hours and include one meal. You can browse through the Green Dot website and register for a training session at: https://greendot.tamu.edu/get-involved/register/
2. Attend a Stand Up Workshop
Green Dot trainings give you the skills to step in, and Stand Up workshops are designed to assist individuals in learning positive and helpful ways to have conversations with individuals who have been involved in a traumatic event. These workshops provide information about sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; social perspectives; the impacts of trauma on the brain; listening techniques; tools for mandated reporters; and campus and community resources. Register through the link above and select a time that works for you. These presentations usually last for three hours.
3. Attend a presentation offered by the Office of Consensual Language, Education, Awareness and Relationships (CLEAR)
CLEAR offers a variety of workshops, programs, and presentations that help students to learn how we can be allies in the fight to end power-based personal violence here at Texas A&M and the greater global community. Presentations include “In Their Shoes” (how to help someone with an abusive partner), “Love the Way You Lie” (discussions on the way our society views and sometimes even glorifies violent relationships), “Consent 101” (information on what consent is and what what consent is not), etc. These free events often last for about an hour. If you are a leader or officer of your student organization, consider requesting a presentation from CLEAR to help educate the entire group and raise awareness of sexual assault and violence on campus.
4. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
The Sexual Assault Survivor Services Survey conducted by the Office of the Dean of Student Life in Spring 2013 found that in Aggieland, 25% of all women and 7% of all men experienced unwanted touching of a sexual nature, comparable to national statistics. Sexual violence can cause people to experience negative reactions, including less social interaction, depression, distractedness, missing class, and stress. In order to reduce and ultimately end sexual violence on campus, everyone should get involved. Look out for campus-wide emails and announcements on events and opportunities during this April.
5. Attend a SHARP Self-Defense Class
This is a 4-hour specially designed class for women (age 17 and older). It teaches easy-to-learn techniques for a variety of situations. Students will learn situational awareness, how to better protect themselves, and how to defend against an attacker. If you are interested in attending, take a look at the time and register. You will need to sign a liability waiver, bring it with you, and wear workout clothing and athletic shoes to the class.
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Mingqian Liu | Architecture
Mingqian Liu is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Department of Architecture
1. Attend a Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training
If you see a sexual assault or violence going on, what should you do? Do you have concerns or questions as to how to effectively help out and be safe at the same time? The Green Dot trainings are designed to give you the confidence and skills you need in order to intervene in difficult situations (do Green Dots). Through videos, group conversation, discussions, role plays, and interactive activities, students will learn about how to detect a red flag situation (Red Dot), the barriers that exist for all of us sometimes when we try to do Green Dots, and how to take the most helpful action for every situation. These free trainings often last for three hours and include one meal. You can browse through the Green Dot website and register for a training session at: https://greendot.tamu.edu/get-involved/register/
2. Attend a Stand Up Workshop
Green Dot trainings give you the skills to step in, and Stand Up workshops are designed to assist individuals in learning positive and helpful ways to have conversations with individuals who have been involved in a traumatic event. These workshops provide information about sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; social perspectives; the impacts of trauma on the brain; listening techniques; tools for mandated reporters; and campus and community resources. Register through the link above and select a time that works for you. These presentations usually last for three hours.
3. Attend a presentation offered by the Office of Consensual Language, Education, Awareness and Relationships (CLEAR)
CLEAR offers a variety of workshops, programs, and presentations that help students to learn how we can be allies in the fight to end power-based personal violence here at Texas A&M and the greater global community. Presentations include “In Their Shoes” (how to help someone with an abusive partner), “Love the Way You Lie” (discussions on the way our society views and sometimes even glorifies violent relationships), “Consent 101” (information on what consent is and what what consent is not), etc. These free events often last for about an hour. If you are a leader or officer of your student organization, consider requesting a presentation from CLEAR to help educate the entire group and raise awareness of sexual assault and violence on campus.
4. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
The Sexual Assault Survivor Services Survey conducted by the Office of the Dean of Student Life in Spring 2013 found that in Aggieland, 25% of all women and 7% of all men experienced unwanted touching of a sexual nature, comparable to national statistics. Sexual violence can cause people to experience negative reactions, including less social interaction, depression, distractedness, missing class, and stress. In order to reduce and ultimately end sexual violence on campus, everyone should get involved. Look out for campus-wide emails and announcements on events and opportunities during this April.
5. Attend a SHARP Self-Defense Class
This is a 4-hour specially designed class for women (age 17 and older). It teaches easy-to-learn techniques for a variety of situations. Students will learn situational awareness, how to better protect themselves, and how to defend against an attacker. If you are interested in attending, take a look at the time and register. You will need to sign a liability waiver, bring it with you, and wear workout clothing and athletic shoes to the class.
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Mingqian Liu | Architecture
Mingqian Liu is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Department of Architecture