A bystander intervention program that teaches how small actions can have big results is already having a major impact at UCF, which in 2016 was the state 麻豆精品 S檚 leader for the training.
That 麻豆精品 S檚 extra impressive since the program, called Green Dot, was first introduced to the campus community in September. Since then, more than 4,500 students and faculty and staff members have been exposed to Green Dot.
麻豆精品 S淕reen Dot is a bystander intervention program to help reduce power-based personal violence, which includes stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence, 麻豆精品 S� said Green Dot Strategy Coordinator Sam Vega, a first-generation college student who earned a master 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in Higher Education and Policy Studies from UCF in 2016.
麻豆精品 S淭he premise is that small actions lead to one big impact, 麻豆精品 S� she said.
Green Dot training includes becoming familiar with the 麻豆精品 S渢hree Ds 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� direct, delegate, and distract.
麻豆精品 S淒irect is going into the situation and saying, 麻豆精品 S楬ey, that 麻豆精品 S檚 not cool what you 麻豆精品 S檙e doing, just stop, 麻豆精品 S� 麻豆精品 S� explained Vega. 麻豆精品 S淒elegate would be calling UCFPD or calling someone that 麻豆精品 S檚 in the area – a bouncer, a bartender – anybody who can step in. Distract speaks for itself. 麻豆精品 S�
Nearly 300 colleges and universities across the country have implemented the program, including six in Florida.
UCF is on top of the leaderboard for the 2016-2017 school year, with more than 25 students, faculty, and staff members fully trained in the program. This allows them to give the speeches that train others and keep Green Dot growing.
Campus areas such as Fraternity and Sorority Life are among those embracing Green Dot. For example, four Greek organizations now require that every member be trained.
Vega says that Green Dot helps to make 麻豆精品 S渄oing the right thing 麻豆精品 S� more accessible.
麻豆精品 S淎 lot of time we have bystanders who just don 麻豆精品 S檛 know what to do because they are emotionally shocked by what 麻豆精品 S檚 going on, 麻豆精品 S� Vega said. 麻豆精品 S淲hat we try to do is ensure them that they can work through those barriers and actually intervene in a realistic way that 麻豆精品 S檚 also comfortable for them. 麻豆精品 S�
The new Green Dot office will officially open its doors to the public with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 23.
Green Dot UCF is located in the John T. Washington Center Breezeway across from the book store, and it will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.