Interpersonal Violence Prevention

We recognize the prevalence and impact of sexual violence, sexual exploitation, interpersonal violence, stalking, and harassment within higher education. We are committed to the role we play in providing a safe and supportive campus community.

Students who have concerns about their own or someone’s relationship can speak confidently to a counselor in the Student Counseling Center.

File a Report Title IX Student Counseling Student Health Services

Do You Know the 10 Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships?

10 Signs of a Healthy Relationship

Trust
Honesty
Independence
Respect
Equality
Kindness
Comfortable Pace
Taking Responsibility
Healthy Conflict
Fun

10 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

Intensity
Manipulation
Sabotage
Guilting
Deflecting Responsibility
Passiveness
Isolation
Belittling
Volatility
Betrayal

Learn More About the Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships

Understanding Consent

Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent should be clearly and freely communicated. A verbal and affirmative expression of consent can help both you and your partner to understand and respect each other’s boundaries.

Consent Is

Asking permission before you change the type or degree of sexual activity with phrases like “Is this OK?”
Explicitly agreeing to certain activities, either by saying “yes” or another affirmative statement, like “I’m open to trying.”
Using physical cues to let the other person know you’re comfortable taking things to the next level.
Periodically checking in with your partner, such as asking “Is this still okay?”
Letting your partner know that you can stop at any time.
Confirming that there is reciprocal interest before initiating any physical touch.

Consent Is Not

Refusing to acknowledge “no”
A partner who is disengaged, nonresponsive, or visibly upset.
Assuming that wearing certain clothes, flirting, or kissing is an invitation for anything more.
Someone being under the legal age of consent, as defined by the state.
Someone being incapacitated because of drugs or alcohol or pressuring someone into sexual activity by using fear or intimidation.
Assuming you have permission to engage in a sexual act because you’ve done it in the past with that partner.

Stalking

Stalking is a pattern of behavior (or a series of actions) directed at a specific person that causes that individual to feel afraid or in danger.

Anyone can be a victim of stalking, regardless of their gender identity, sexuality, ability status, race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, etc.

Bystander Intervention

Everyone has a role to play in preventing sexual assault and there are many different ways you can step up to make a difference. An active bystander is someone who interrupts a potentially harmful situation, especially when it comes to sexual violence. They may not be directly involved but they do have the choice and opportunity to speak up and intervene.

Bystander Intervention Model: C.A.R.E.

Create a Distraction

Distracting is a subtle and innovative way of intervening. The purpose of distraction is to interrupt the incident, safely, by communicating with the individual at risk and giving them an opportunity to safely exit the potentially dangerous situation. Try creating a distraction as early as possible.

This technique can be used to de-escalate the situation and re-direct the attention of the aggressor or the individual at risk to something else. For example, creating a conversation with the individual at risk is helpful. At this moment, make sure not to leave them alone. This technique can be used to dilute the tension before it escalates to further danger.

Ask Directly

Asking directly to the individual at risk can help you determine if an action needs to be taken immediately to ensure a safe environment. You can address the individual at risk directly. You can ask the following, “Do you need help?” or “Would you like me to stay with you?” or “Would you like to get out of here and go somewhere safe?”

Make sure to ask the question when the perpetrator is not listening or nearby in order to de-escalate the situation from turning into a crisis. Asking them if they need any support or assistance at the moment can help you determine if an authority needs to be contacted. If the answer is yes, proceed to contact a safe emergency personnel.

Rally Others
It can be intimidating to approach a situation alone. If you need to, enlist another person to support you:

Ask someone to come with you to approach the person at risk. When it comes to expressing concern, sometimes there is power in numbers.

Ask someone to intervene in your place. For example, you could ask someone who knows the person at risk to escort them to the bathroom.

Enlist the friend of the person you’re concerned about. “Your friend looks like they’ve had a lot to drink. Can you check on them?”

Sometimes the safest way to intervene is to enlist an authority figure like a resident assistant, bartender, bouncer, or security guard. This option will allow you to have others on your side and can offer additional safety from the perpetrator.

If the situation has escalated and involves imminent danger and actual harm, the best intervention technique that can be used is to call 9-1-1. When calling, be prepared to identify yourself, your location, and the nature of the situation. Be sure to stay present when help arrives and near the individual that was harmed. Remain calm, friendly, and supportive.

Extend Support
After experiencing such a situation, the individual at risk may feel panicked and be unsure about what to do next. Extending a helping hand and empathetic ear can make a huge difference. Offer them appropriate resources and options for how you can support them. You can ask:

“Do you want me to walk with you to your destination?”

“Is there anything I can do to support you?”

“Would you like resources for support and guidance following this incident?”

The only person responsible for committing sexual assault is a perpetrator, but all of us have the ability to look out for each other’s safety. Whether it’s giving someone a safe ride home from a party or directly confronting a person who is engaging in threatening behavior, anyone can help prevent sexual violence.

Remember to respect your fellow Nighthawks and speak up if someone says or does something indicating intent to commit sexual violence. As an active Bystander you can become a force of change in preventing sexual violence.