Event Title
Addressing Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence on Campus: Proposing a Bystander Education Program
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
Background: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) performed the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA-II) student survey on March 5, 2014, to assess the health and wellness of GVSU students. Results of the survey identified three noteworthy factors in assuring safety of students on GVSU campus. In the past 2 years reports of sexual assault involving GVSU students have caused a federal Title IX investigation. Purpose: The main purpose was to raise awareness regarding sexual assault and relationship violence and to provide support to the adoption of a Bystander Education Program at GVSU, along with a goal to create a program that could be adopted by GVSU. Methods/Approach: A literature review provided researchers with significant information that permitted proposal of a program for GVSU based on the findings. Results allowed researchers to write goals and objectives for a Bystander education program on campus. Goals included necessary education, securement of funding, developing a semester long curriculum for GVSU students, and program assessment. The proposed program consisted of three phases: Establish a Need, Provide Education, Secure Funding, Develop Curriculum and Implement Curriculum. Implications: Adopting the proposed program could lead to the development and implementation of a semester long Bystander education program facilitated by university staff. In addition, the program could lead to attitudinal and behavior change for all of the campus community regarding sexual assault and relationship violence. Further, the proposed program could increase awareness of established resources on GVSU campus related to sexual assault and relationship violence - increasing the utilization of such resources and decreasing unreported or encounters of sexual assault and relationship violence - making the campus environment safer.
Addressing Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence on Campus: Proposing a Bystander Education Program
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Background: Grand Valley State University (GVSU) performed the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA-II) student survey on March 5, 2014, to assess the health and wellness of GVSU students. Results of the survey identified three noteworthy factors in assuring safety of students on GVSU campus. In the past 2 years reports of sexual assault involving GVSU students have caused a federal Title IX investigation. Purpose: The main purpose was to raise awareness regarding sexual assault and relationship violence and to provide support to the adoption of a Bystander Education Program at GVSU, along with a goal to create a program that could be adopted by GVSU. Methods/Approach: A literature review provided researchers with significant information that permitted proposal of a program for GVSU based on the findings. Results allowed researchers to write goals and objectives for a Bystander education program on campus. Goals included necessary education, securement of funding, developing a semester long curriculum for GVSU students, and program assessment. The proposed program consisted of three phases: Establish a Need, Provide Education, Secure Funding, Develop Curriculum and Implement Curriculum. Implications: Adopting the proposed program could lead to the development and implementation of a semester long Bystander education program facilitated by university staff. In addition, the program could lead to attitudinal and behavior change for all of the campus community regarding sexual assault and relationship violence. Further, the proposed program could increase awareness of established resources on GVSU campus related to sexual assault and relationship violence - increasing the utilization of such resources and decreasing unreported or encounters of sexual assault and relationship violence - making the campus environment safer.