A major push has been launched on campus to change the overall culture in relation to interpersonal violence by increasing outreach to students, including 3D Thursdays.
Rhonda Jackson, one of the two counselors on staff, explained 3D Thursdays as a vehicle to educate the campus community about ways to intervene in potential cases of interpersonal violence.
On Thursday, September 4, student volunteers positioned themselves at different locations on campus and handed out green cards with candy attached to passing students and staff.
The cards highlighted the three “d’s,” which serve as the hallmark of the program: direct, distract, delegate.
Jackson indicated each are ways for peers to aid in preventing possible violence. Direct involves a person directly involving himself in the situation. Distract involves removing one of the individuals in the situation. Delegate is the involvement of another person, such as reporting the suspected behavior to a professor, coach, or other authority figure.
Jackson indicated that “bystander intervention is very successful” in combating examples of interpersonal violence.
The counseling staff launched the program so early in the semester to ensure students are equipped with as much information as possible, as early as possible.
Jackson highlighted a very shocking statistic, that first year students are the most at risk for peer violence within their first six weeks of classes.
She further indicated that any student who feels he or she has been subjected to any form of interpersonal violence, whether it be verbal or physical, should contact student counseling services as soon as possible. However, she also stated it is never too late to seek assistance.
Students on campus who are interested in being involved in the 3D Thursday outreach are encouraged to contact Jackson at rjackson@shepherd.edu.
The interest in the program has not been limited to students. Jackson indicated she has received an “outpouring” of requests for information, buttons and t-shirts from faculty and staff.
Jackson stressed the importance of engaging as many students and staff as possible, arguing that interpersonal violence perpetrated by one person can effect the entire Shepherd “community.”
9/10 “Shoe Project” on the Midway
9/11 3D Thursday
9/17 Maria Falzone comedy program about sexual health. 9pm @ The Frank Center
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