Spring Break
OSU offers class on sexual violence
Class offered to help facilitate change in sexual violence
Morgan Plummer
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: News
Sexual violence is one of the biggest issues on many college campuses. Not many people know how often it is happening.
This is why there is a course offered through Oregon State University titled Peer Education Sexual Violence Awareness Training.
The course has been offered for the last three years and has grown into a popular class. In early stages, the class had three to four students, with maximum enrollment reaching 35 students.
This is not just a course for women. It is meant for both sexes; the ratio of males and females in attendance is about half and half.
"For true change to occur, both men and women need to take the issue seriously. Both men and women need to address the issue of sexual violence in an honest and direct manner," said Carrie Giese, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator.
During this class, students go through a 10-week training course of learning everything there is to know about sexual violence. Students are taught about topics such as consent, stalking, sexual assault and interpersonal violence.
In the end, the hope is that students will want to help make a change for the way problems are now and that they will be interested in becoming a member of Every 1, a sexual violence awareness peer educator program.
"A lot of students take the course, then as their awareness increases, they decide to become an Every 1 sexual violence awareness educator," Giese said.
Giese has taught the class since its beginning at OSU. Her passion to end sexual violence and educate students through the class is what keeps her coming back.
The Every 1 Sexual Violence Awareness Peer Educator Program at OSU currently has 15 educators with varying jobs.
They are involved with outreach groups to students in residential halls, athletic teams and ROTC. The motto of the educators is "Every 1 person sexually assaulted is 1 too many."
The process of becoming a peer educator is to first take the course. If a student becomes passionate enough and wants to help reduce the amount of sexual violence and increase awareness, then they can apply. After the application process, students interview for the position, if chosen, they can experience educating students on the realities of sexual violence and how to create a safer campus community.
This is why there is a course offered through Oregon State University titled Peer Education Sexual Violence Awareness Training.
The course has been offered for the last three years and has grown into a popular class. In early stages, the class had three to four students, with maximum enrollment reaching 35 students.
This is not just a course for women. It is meant for both sexes; the ratio of males and females in attendance is about half and half.
"For true change to occur, both men and women need to take the issue seriously. Both men and women need to address the issue of sexual violence in an honest and direct manner," said Carrie Giese, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator.
During this class, students go through a 10-week training course of learning everything there is to know about sexual violence. Students are taught about topics such as consent, stalking, sexual assault and interpersonal violence.
In the end, the hope is that students will want to help make a change for the way problems are now and that they will be interested in becoming a member of Every 1, a sexual violence awareness peer educator program.
"A lot of students take the course, then as their awareness increases, they decide to become an Every 1 sexual violence awareness educator," Giese said.
Giese has taught the class since its beginning at OSU. Her passion to end sexual violence and educate students through the class is what keeps her coming back.
The Every 1 Sexual Violence Awareness Peer Educator Program at OSU currently has 15 educators with varying jobs.
They are involved with outreach groups to students in residential halls, athletic teams and ROTC. The motto of the educators is "Every 1 person sexually assaulted is 1 too many."
The process of becoming a peer educator is to first take the course. If a student becomes passionate enough and wants to help reduce the amount of sexual violence and increase awareness, then they can apply. After the application process, students interview for the position, if chosen, they can experience educating students on the realities of sexual violence and how to create a safer campus community.
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