Sexual Violence Prevention Month – April

submitted by garvey@augsburg.edu

April is Sexual Violence Prevention Month.

Everyone Can Help – Bystander Intervention is recognizing a potentially harmful situation or interaction and choosing to respond in a way that could positively influence the outcome.
1. Notice the Event: People are busy, distracted, on their phones, talking, texting, not aware of their surroundings – some don’t want to notice. Pay attention to what is going on around you.
2. Interpret It as a Problem: Sometimes it is hard to tell if someone is in need of help. Error on the side of caution and investigate. Don’t be sidetracked by ambiguity, conformity or peer pressure.
3. Assume Personal Responsibility: If not you, then who? Do not assume someone else will do something. Have the courage and confidence to BE THE FIRST!
4. Know How to Help: NEVER put yourself in harm’s way but DO SOMETHING! Distract, Directly Address, Delegate.
5. Implement the Help – Act!

Thanks to Augsburg’s Sexual Misconduct Awareness Raising Team (SMART) for their advocacy, peer education, and events to eliminate sexual violence.

Augsburg has an agreement with the Aurora Center (U of Minnesota), so students can contact them for assistance. They have a 24-Hour Helpline: (612) 626-9111. Students can also get assistance through the Center for Wellness and Counseling (CWC), 612-330-1707, and the Department of Public Safety, 612-330-1717.