This fall a majority of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) leadership team attended the skill-based workshop for Green Dot, a bystander movement at Kent State. After attending the workshop, the USG leadership team allocated $15,000 for the promotion of bystander messaging with students. The Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services (SRVSS) is assisting USG in developing a plan for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April and a summer orientation program to encourage proactive prevention of harm to those in our community.
Increasing support and healing opportunities for students impacted by sexual and relationship violence has been a goal for SRVSS this academic year. SRVSS is excited to have the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) grant renewed for another year to allow us to continue working towards this goal. Through our support services, we continue to collaborate with the Counseling Center in White Hall and Safer Futures to provide confidential support groups for survivors. Additionally, we host monthly fellowship opportunities with a healing activity such as mediation or an art project.
Over the spring semester, the Kent State community will see an increased presence of the Kent State Stands Up campaign. The campaign educates students on consent, healthy relationships and sexual and relationship violence as well as resources for support and reporting. Finally, it provides steps for individuals to take to keep our university safer. The campaign was developed as part of the ODHE changing campus climate initiative to communicate respect and shared responsibility.