Gallaudet reaches important milestone in sexual misconduct prevention efforts

Green Dot Training Teaches How to Intervene In Sexual Misconduct

More than 500 Gallaudet students, faculty, and staff members have now been trained in bystander intervention through a national program known as Green Dot.

Green Dot training helps to increase effective bystander intervention to prevent acts of personal-based power violence including sexual misconduct on college campuses. Gallaudet received money through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women from 2012 to 2015 to help fund the startup of the Green Dot program, which began in March 2013.

The University runs several trainings each semester through the Health and Wellness Programs (HWP), a division of Student Affairs and Academic Support. HWP Director Christine Gannon, Coordinator of the Office of Student Conduct Hillel Goldberg, and Title IX Investigator Amy Rousseau conduct the trainings together.

“We have reached an important milestone and my colleagues, and our student Peer Health Advocates were critical in achieving this goal,” said Christine Gannon, HWP director. “We need everyone’s help on campus to foster a community of support and accountability. We have a responsibility to each other to do our best to make this campus a safer place for all.”

Sexual violence on college campuses has received national attention from the federal government and media in recent years. Gallaudet actively seeks out ways to prevent incidents of sexual misconduct and to thoroughly and compassionately handle incidents when they do occur.

Gallaudet University addresses this serious issue through many means, including education and prevention programs like Green Dot. Gallaudet also ensures that all programs and services are tailored to the University’s community and culture.

Staff members and students who run the prevention and education programs look to Green Dot’s mission of “no one can do everything, but everyone can do something” as a mantra to follow.
“Green Dot is one of several key efforts that reaffirm Gallaudet’s commitment to creating and maintaining a living and learning environment that is free from all forms of harassment, violence, and misconduct,” said President Roberta J. Cordano. “Our shared value of being a welcoming and supportive campus community is evident in the fact that more than 500 people have taken the initiative to go through the bystander intervention program.

I applaud all those who have completed the training and encourage others to do so. We appreciate everyone’s effort to uphold our shared values on campus every day. This is how we will strengthen our university community so that everyone can thrive.

Dean of Student Affairs and Academic Support Dwight Benedict praised the team for their efforts. “This goes a long way in building community accountability to ensure a safer community here at Gallaudet,” Benedict said.
Provost Carol J. Erting also noted the team’s commitment to achieving this goal.
“Lasting culture change is difficult to achieve, but it can be done and the team is leading the way,” Erting said.

Green Dot training for fall 2017 will be offered on September 8, October 27, and December 2. To learn more and to sign up, please contact us or stop by Ely 103.

All photos courtesy of the Office of Health and Wellness Programs.