Sexual violence and relationship violence can be prevented by understanding what it is and treating others with respect. At St. Cloud State University we require students and employees to learn about harassment, discrimination and sexual violence with the intent to reduce these behaviors.
Recently the Minnesota State Board of Trustees changed its definition of consent to require affirmative consent prior to sexual conduct. If you decide to initiate sexual conduct you need to understand what this means.
Students often witness situations that may lead to or involve sexual violence, relationship violence or stalking but don’t know what to do. These situations provide an opportunity to step in, stop what is happening, and make a significant difference in someone’s life.
Bystander intervention programs teach the appropriate skills to intervene safely and effectively, in both direct and indirect ways. Effective bystander programs foster an encouraging environment for others to speak out against sexist attitudes, rape myth beliefs, and behaviors of sexual and other forms of violence. Confronting violence can help change the social norms of a community and society as a whole. Bystander intervention strategies can lead to a culture of respect, equality, safety, and a caring community.
Here are some examples of what a bystander can do:
The Gender Violence Prevention Program coordinates a bystander intervention program that trains students, staff, and faculty to present workshops to various groups on campus and train individuals to become engaged bystanders. The workshop provides various scenarios for participants to practice what they might do in a similar situation so they have a plan when faced with similar situations.
If you would like to become a trainer or would like to coordinate a bystander intervention program for a class or group, please contact the Gender Violence Prevention Program at 320-308-3995 or email the Women’s Center at womenscenter@stcloudstate.edu.
Technology has provided abusers, harassers, and stalkers with a whole new set of tools. Stalkers and abusers are using these technologies, including caller ID, faxes, surveillance devices such as GPS, and keystroke logging on computers. For an overview of what these various technologies are, how abusers use them and how to protect yourself, consider the following resources:
In fact, the Violence Against Women Act, passed in 2000, made cyberstalking a part of the federal interstate stalking statute.
Cyberstalkers target their victims through:
If you have questions about cyberstalking, or are wondering whether you are a victim, please look at the following websites for more information:
Respect and responsibility is a two-part required training for incoming students.
Part 1: Not Anymore, educates students about preventing sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking in an online format. Required by Minnesota State Law, this online training needs to be completed within the first 10 days of classes.
Part 2: Community Through Diversity, an in-person, one hour workshop, focuses on respect across differences, campus resources, and opportunities to get involved.
