Foster a safer space

Foster a safer space in

• Be mindful of how you share information on violence prevention on digital platforms.
• Engage virtually with organizations that work to prevent sexual and relationship violence. For example, follow Sun Devil Movement for Violence Prevention (MVP) on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
• Be aware of what type of media you are consuming and the way they portray sex, relationships, gender roles and sexual violence. Is the producer of this media contributing to a “culture of violence” or helping to dismantle it?
• Include your gender pronouns in your online profiles, email signatures, etc.
• Participate in local and national movements and signature events planned by the ASU Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention Program, such as Domestic Violence Awareness month in October and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. 
• Utilize Facebook birthday fundraisers to support an agency that provides support to survivors and victims of violence, or actively works to prevent violence in the community.
• Share the sexual violence prevention webpage on applicable websites, social media profiles and more.
• Join and support advocacy groups or student organizations on social media.
• Participate virtually in Denim Day by posting a photo of yourself and tagging @ASUSRVP.
• Flag and report inappropriate and harmful content on all digital platforms you belong to.
• Use examples from shows and movies to start conversations with your peers about how media can contribute to, or help to dismantle, a culture of violence.
• Share information about the MyPlan app with those who may be experiencing relationship abuse.
• Participate in Sun Devil MVP meetings, if interested, reach out to srvp@asu.edu.
• Check in with friends and family members using online platforms.
• Include emergency and supportive numbers in your online profiles. Visit the resources page to learn more. 
• Serve as an empowered bystander even in online environments. For example, you notice someone shared an article about an instance of sexual violence recently reported in the media, and they made comments suggesting that the victim or survivor is at fault for their experience. You could start a conversation exploring how victims and survivors are not at fault for their experiences of violence.
• Create a Zoom background which displays messages of support for survivors and provides resource information and emergency numbers.

Foster a safer space in

Sun Devils spend a large portion of their time within physical or virtual classrooms. The more actions ASU faculty and staff take to deliberately create an inclusive, welcoming and safe space for all ASU students, the better our community is at preventing violence and creating a space in which all Sun Devils thrive.

• Select sexual violence and related topics as an option for research papers, group projects and/or speaking assignments. In an attempt to be trauma-informed, we encourage you to merely provide these topics as options for assignments rather than requirements, as some students, depending on their trauma history, may find the topic particularly distressing.
• Encourage students to select classes related to social work, gender studies, justice studies and other courses relevant to violence prevention and to enroll in the Domestic Violence Certificate Program. 
• Review the Trans Guide for Faculty for ways to draft an inclusive email message and signature, invite appropriate and welcoming introductions on the first day of class, and more.
• Provide helpful campus support resources on Canvas along with important and emergency numbers.
• Share web-based information and resources about sexual violence, such as the sexual violence prevention website, with your students.
• Discuss sexual and relationship violence in relation to the course content. Not sure how to connect your course content to sexual and relationship violence? Reach out to srvp@asu.edu.
• Provide accurate information about sexual and relationship violence. ASU Wellness offers information on student experiences of sexual violence and ASU Police publishes the Clery Report annually, which outlines all crimes that occurred on campus property and were reported to a Campus Security Authority.
• Stay abreast of campus events. Provide extra credit or assignments for attending sexual and relationship violence prevention education and awareness activities. Reach out to srvp@asu.edu to further collaborate on opportunities for your students.
• Encourage faculty, research and teaching assistants to attend sexual violence prevention and response training.
• Practice and model appropriate use of gender pronouns. For example, if you have your students introduce themselves at the beginning of the course, invite them to provide their gender pronouns and you can provide yours as well.
• Request speakers and/or online education programs to present during your course, learn more at ASU Sexual Violence Prevention under “Request Education”.
• Provide trigger warnings prior to showing or discussing sensitive content in class. Let students know what course of action is available to them (leaving the room briefly, turning off their Zoom camera, etc.), should they become triggered/activated while engaging in the material.
• Practice and model consent during class. For example, ask your class if everyone understands and is ready to move on in the lesson before advancing.
• Add information about sexual violence to course syllabi, along with information about your role as a mandated reporter.

Example:  “ASU has many resources to support you should you, or anyone you know, experience any form of sexual violence. You can learn more about these resources by visiting ASU's Sexual Violence Prevention page. It is important that you be aware that as a faculty, staff member, or employee of ASU, I am a mandatory reporter. This means I am required to report any instances of potential sexual violence that I became aware of, to ASU officials or emergency services. Should you need to speak with someone, there are confidential resources on campus that are not mandated reporters: ASU Counseling Services, ASU Health Services and the ASU Police Department Victim-Survivor Advocate.”

Foster a safer space in

ASU parents, guardians and families, play an integral part in supporting ASU students, whether they attend classes in-person or online. Families can promote a safe environment through clear, open and non-judgmental communication about relationships and fostering a supportive home environment.

• Encourage your student to recognize and safely intervene in situations that could lead to harm or violence.
• Learn and discuss facts about sexual and relationship violence with your student, including what consent means and how consent plays out in our daily lives, not just in our sexual relationships.
• Model respectful consent throughout your everyday life to further illustrate consent’s role beyond our sexual relationships, such as asking your student for permission before hugging them.
• Always respect a family member or friend’s gender pronouns and name/nickname and ask others to do the same.
• Discuss healthy relationships and boundaries and do your best to model them yourself.
• Encourage respectful and clear communication.
• Discuss the impact of alcohol and other drugs on sexual assault to better understand why victims and survivors are not to blame for an experience of violence no matter if they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
• Encourage your student to input emergency and non-emergency numbers in their phone so they can reference them for support in the future. Visit the resources page to learn more
• Learn more about the MyPlan app and encourage your student to download the app to help them support themselves or a friend in a future relationship.

Foster a safer space in 

Whether a parent, guardian, faculty, staff, or student, we all play a major role in fostering a community in which we all can live and thrive. Interested in getting more actively involved?

• Join a student organization related to sexual or relationship violence, social justice, public health, criminal justice, or other disciplines that strive to change the culture of violence.
• Complete community service, join a community coalition, committee, and/or attend an event addressing sexual violence, rigid gender roles, or how to be an ally to underrepresented communities.
• Run for or apply to a Student Government position to further support these initiatives within a variety of student communities. 
• Serve on a board or committee for the Associated Students of Arizona State University to further integrate violence prevention into all aspects of the university. 
• Volunteer for local community agencies which work within this space: Care 7, Bloom 365, ACESDV, New Life Center, Jewish Children & Family Services, Eve’s Place, Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. 
• Create zines or other works of art that raise awareness and educate about sexual violence.
• Write a piece for the State Press about why this topic is pertinent to our community or invite Sun Devils to engage in an upcoming opportunity that supports the cause. 
• Apply for a Changemaker Community Action Grant for Sexual Violence Prevention and receive funding to support your own innovative ideas. 
• Practice advocacy by lobbying for change, calling or writing your representatives, or donating to an organization that provides services to survivors/victims or works to prevent violence.
• If your organization or student group is hosting an event, ensure that the event is accessible to those of different abilities and inclusive language is utilized on marketing materials.
  Learn more about who your representatives are today. 
• Encourage your Greek organization or student community to participate in the Sexual Violence Prevention Leadership Program. 
• Request a presentation or Sun Devil Support Network training for an upcoming student or Greek organization meeting or event.
• Participate in Sun Devil MVP meetings, if interested, reach out to srvp@asu.edu.