Protect Our Pack

Presented by the Assistant Dean of Students for Victim Support Services & Bystander Initiatives and the Pack Leaders
In these presentations, students learn about the University’s bystander intervention model, Protect Our Pack. Audience members learn how to model safe and effective intervention strategies before, during and after incidents of peer misconduct including, but not limited to, sexual misconduct. Attendees develop a better understanding of the role of the Dean of Students Office and other important resources. They are also able to observe their peers facilitate conversations around the University’s behavioral expectations and how to report incidents of sexual misconduct.

Conflicts in Standards

Presented by UCPD
The goal of this course is to provide the participant with an understanding of the administrative versus criminal justice reporting options and challenges surrounding sexual assault and related crimes at the University of Connecticut. Participants will gain an understanding of the contrasting protocols and standards between the two models.

Reporting Sexual Violence to UCPD

Presented by UCPD
This program will provide clear and concise information on reporting incidents of sexual violence to UCPD, available investigative options and police response. It will also highlight the goals and limitations of criminal investigations as well as Campus Security Authority (CSA) designations and responsibilities.

START a Conversation

Presented by UCPD
The START a Conversation program aims to get the participants discussing a wide range of topics surrounding social issues wherein people can be physically or emotionally harmed. The conversations are guided by videos of scripted scenarios as they relate to strategies to intervene on behalf of one another to create a safer, more respectful society. Participants will watch clips from ABC’s ‘What Would You Do’ and then engage in facilitated discussion about intervention strategies in a safe, culturally aware and diverse environment.

Surviving Violent Encounters: Self-Protection for Women

Presented by UCPD
This 12-hour course helps participants identify realistic risks in their daily lives and evoke discussion of personal risk assessment and response strategies. Participants will develop physical and mental preparedness skills through repetition and simulation training intended to increase their survivability if attacked. The program activities will empower participants to realize and enhance their option to survive a violent encounter and escape.

Men’s Self-Defense Program

Presented by UCPD
The Resisting Aggression with Defense (R.A.D.) Basic Personal Defense System is a national program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques network dedicated self-defense instructors that has been established by nationally certified R.A.D. Instructors since 1989. This program provides responsible information and tactical options of self-defense for men who find themselves in confrontational situations.

We Stand Up: Men Preventing Violence Against Women

Presented by UCPD
We Stand U: Men Preventing Violence Against Women is designed to help male attendees understand that they are a key component in reducing violence against women. Participants will engage in discussion and analysis of topics such as: examples of men they respect, healthy masculinity, unhealthy behaviors, and strategies to engage peers in reducing violence against women.

Sexual Harassment Prevention and Education Training

Trainer(s): Women’s Center Professional Staff
Duration: 90-120 minutes
Attendees will learn to identify various forms of gender-based violence and examine conditions that promote and/or support sexual harassment. Participants will also develop skills to initiate a dialogue on sexual harassment and strategies for sexual harassment prevention and response.

Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) Workshops

Facilitator(s): VAWPP Peer Facilitators and/or Professional Staff
Duration: 50-75 minutes
VAWPP workshops are interactive discussions, facilitated by peers or professional staff, which explore the continuum of gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence. Grounded in social justice and feminist perspective, workshops invite all campus stakeholders to examine their role in ending gender-based violence by addressing its root causes in oppression.

• • • Consent 201*: This workshop is designed to expand on concepts first-year students were introduced to at Orientation, inviting participants to think critically about common patterns of communication around requests, negotiation, pressure, and coercion. Facilitators utilize fun, interactive activities to foster discussion around gender stereotypes, power dynamics, and sexual and romantic scripts. *FYE core component workshop.
    • Power & Control (in Relationships): This workshop invites participants to make connections between stereotypical gender expectations and unhealthy relationship patterns. Participants will gain: greater understanding of the various forms of relationship abuse and how they manifest, tools for assessing the health of their own connections, and proficiency in providing support to friends or family members who may be experiencing relationship violence.
    • Gender & Violence in the Media: Television, film, music, podcasts, social media platforms – most of us consume one or more of these outlets every day. This workshop facilitates critical dialogue around mainstream media and its effects on gender socialization and rape-supportive culture. Participants will gain critical consumption tools, and confidence in interrupting attitudes and behaviors that normalize and excuse gender-based violence.

Greeks Against Sexual Assault (GASA) Workshop

Facilitator(s): GASA Group Facilitators
Duration: 45-60 minutes
This workshop serves as a preview of the semester-long GASA experience offered every Spring in partnership with the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life. Topics offered include: rape-supportive norms and values within the Greek community, impact of gender stereotypes on social power dynamics, dispelling rape myths and victim-blaming, individual and community-focused bystander intervention, and supporting victims/survivors.

UConn Men’s Project

The goal of The Men’s Project is to train men who will then positively influence their peers by challenging social norms that promote gender-based violence; understanding their connection to survivors of gender-based violence; and role modeling effective bystander interventions. The weekly meetings will focus on topics related to gender socialization, masculinities, social justice and gender-based violence. The program is supported by the UConn Women’s Center and the Asian American Cultural Center, whose staff serve as advisers and support for this initiative.

The UConn Sexperts

Presented by Student Health and Wellness
Student Health and Wellness is home to The UConn Sexperts, a volunteer, peer education program composed of 5-15 highly dedicated students who are passionate about promoting sexual health on the UConn campus. The Sexperts mission is “to promote positive and responsible health to UConn students; respecting people’s individual choices and creating awareness of sexual health issues, including safer-sex strategies, sexually transmitted infections, contraception/birth control, sexual boundaries and consent, pleasure, and healthy decision making.”