Campus & Community

Know Where to Go

Tuesday, August 26, 2014, By Keith Kobland

Students returning to campus are learning more about comprehensive services for those affected by sexual assault and relationship violence.

Here is a transcription of the video.

Reporter says, “Returning students will be seeing something new on campus—these signs that provide information about sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and harassment—and a new place to turn for help. It’s all part of a larger program that will engage students and bring attention to these issues.”

Katelyn Cowen says, “its one way to reach the students.”

Reporter “Katelyn Cowen is the director of health promotion at Syracuse University, where all incoming students will be be taking part in a proactive program involving an important issue going under the microscope at all colleges and universities…sexual assaults and violence.”

Cowen: “We want to provide clear and consistent messaging to our students about the resources available to them, including our sexual and relationship violence response team which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is really part of a comprehensive number of resources we have available.”

Reporter: “There are online and in person components to the program, including something called bystander education, teaching students that they should step up and step in if they witness such activity taking place

“and thats part of the training too, how to do this safely, what does intervening looking like? its not necessarily personally stepping in, maybe its making a call to somebody who has expertise and training in that area, like public safety, so it varies by situation, but we give them those skills. There’s also a video that students will be required to watch explaining in real life terms what unacceptable behavior is, and looks like.”

Cowen: “For students the bottom line is that they have clear and consistent information, that they’re aware of the resources available on campus, and that we’re doing really good prevention work with them.”

Reporter: “The goal with all of this—the signs, and the overall program..is to keep students safe, and to give them a clear path to help if it’s needed.”