Unfortunately, you hear about sexual assault far too often than it should ever happen: on the news, in “Timely Alerts,” by word of mouth. If you logged onto Facebook at all over the summer, you most likely saw raging posts about Brock Turner, white privilege, and the problems with the justice system of the United States. We live in a society plagued with injustices, but we cannot complain about the injustice if we sit around and do nothing. Instead, we are called to make green dots so that, in time, there will be fewer Brock Turner cases, not only because there are fewer rapists, but because people are stepping in and stopping potential cases of violence when they see the warning signs.
Image via: http://img.wennermedia.com/social/brock-turner-3584f282-728e-44f9-9524-d…
Green Dot training is a “comprehensive approach to responding to and preventing power-based personal violence.” The main takeaway from the training, which runs from five to six hours, is to spread green dots, acts that are either reactive or proactive in regard to power-based personal violence. The training delves into how to make these choices to avoid being a passive bystander, but rather someone who knows how to utilize the 3 D’s (distract, direct, and delegate). By becoming Green Dot certified, you are providing yourself the power to actually change our campus and the way others perceive power-based personal violence.
Although the training times appear long, they pale in comparison to the amount of time future victims would spend feeling guilty, abandoned, hurt, and destroyed. Spending four or five hours educating yourself could save the life of someone else on campus, and maybe even multiple lives. As much as we wish, we are not infallible, but we do have the power to make a positive impact and spread green dots all around us.
If interested in attending a Green Dot training, contact live_it@gettysburg.edu with your name, preferred pronouns, any dietary needs, t-shirt size and the date you plan to attend. Although I suggest attending for the content, the trainings do count for CYC credits in the fall, Points Forgiveness (with prior approval), as well as educational sessions for any clubs or organizations that are interested.
Image via: http://www.gettysburg.edu/about/offices/college_life/violence-prevention…