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Mandatory Safety Course Proposal: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness

Mandatory Safety Course Proposal:
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness
A photojournalist documents an actual domestic violence assault in progress (Lewkowicz).
Many times, these crimes happen in the privacy of the home and often go unreported.



Problem
Violence can happen to people within all socioeconomic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a third of all women and a quarter of all men will be victimized by an intimate partner in their lifetime (“Statistics”). Photojournalist Sara Naomi Lewkowicz went home with a family to document their lives for a story she was working on, not knowing that she would become a witness to a domestic violence situation. Once she made sure that police were on their way, she resumed taking photos to document the events of the night. The above photo is from the actual domestic violence event that occurred that evening (Lewkowicz). The woman is terrified and the child is visibly upset as she is witnessing the violence in progress. Domestic violence and sexual assault in the personal lives of students and teachers can be a potential danger to everyone on campus.  The recent shooting at a San Bernadino elementary school represents a domestic violence situation that spilled over into the workplace of the teacher. The LA Times reported that the assailant had a history of domestic violence allegations, but no one at the school knew that the teacher’s husband was abusive (“San Bernadino”). Although it’s scary to think about, a similar situation could very easily happen at any school. Domestic violence and sexual assaults are often perpetrated by persons known to the victim, usually a romantic partner or family member. Embarrassment and lack of education about precautionary measures that can and should be taken can leave victims as well as campuses prone to dangerous situations. Anyone can become a victim: therefore, we all need to be prepared. At a training conference on domestic violence and sexual assault renowned victim’s rights advocate, prosecutor, professor, and domestic violence survivor Sarah Buel summed up the impact of domestic violence outside of the home, “… you are in danger when victims in your workplace do not feel that they can speak up and let you know [about violence in his or her personal life]” (“Promising”).
                          

The Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs created the Power and Control Wheel as a tool to help
keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable for their actions.  The Power and Control Wheel is
used and adapted by agencies all over the nation to better serve victims (Wheel). The Power and
Control Wheel shows the many ways that abusers gain power and control over their victims in ways
that can lead to physical and sexual violence. Domestic violence victims are often left isolated and
feeling hopeless due to being controlled in so many aspects of life.


Solution
            I propose all colleges and universities institute a mandatory 3 credit hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness and safety course for all students and staff. This training will be focused on: 1) recognizing signs and symptoms of abuse, 2) what steps should be taken should someone become a victim of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, bullying and other types of violence, 3) safety planning for victims of domestic violence and/or stalking, and 4) resources that are available for victims as well as offenders.  An additional benefit to having the course mandatory for all students is that no one student or staff member will feel singled out for attending the classes as a potential victim or offender. The information in this safety course may be the most important information a student ever learns because it has the potential to save the student’s life as well as other lives.  
The Power and Control Wheel pictured above is used as a tool developed by Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs to help keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable for their actions (Wheel). The Power and Control Wheel shows the many ways that abusers gain power and control over their victims in ways that can lead to physical and sexual violence. Domestic violence victims are often left isolated and feeling hopeless due to being controlled in so many aspects of his or her life.  Due to the nature of domestic violence, the course’s official title will simply be called “Safety Course,” to not arouse suspicion or bring danger to any victim that will be taking the course.
            Curriculum will be developed by an interdisciplinary group of experts, including victim advocates, district attorneys, rape crisis center and domestic violence shelter workers, police, medical professionals, and other experts in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault.  An important part of the training will be to let students and staff know about specific resources available on campus as well as in the community. Many colleges and universities have a fully functioning police department and offer educational tools that many students and staff may not know about, including Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention courses, which is a technical “how to” class to physically stop an impending attack (“Sharp”). Campus police can also help document evidence of crimes, assist with referrals and police escorts when requested (“Clery”). This information can be integrated into the course materials. Campus police are a valuable resource for training as well as help for someone going through a domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking situation, their services and course are not often common knowledge on college campuses. With the mandated course, all students and staff will be knowledgeable about the resources, education and assistance available.
            An additional resource is the United States Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women’s Office, which offers grants specifically targeted for college campuses to fund education and advocacy programs targeted at reducing crimes of sexual assault, stalking, domestic and dating violence (“Protecting”). Funding from a grant can be used to develop curriculum, purchase textbooks and other materials, as well as pay for part or all of tuition. A free or subsidized course may be taken sooner than later by many students, which will lead to increased safety.
Benefits
The safety course will better prepare students and staff should they become a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Students and staff will also be more knowledgeable in recognizing signs and symptoms of abuse and will be better able to assist others by speaking up for a victim and/or reporting a crime. Knowing the signs and symptoms of abuse and what resources and remedies are available will help reduce violent crimes in homes, in the community, and on campus. Students and staff will be empowered with the knowledge of the many resources and laws that are available to assist victims.  There are many resources offered free to victims by domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers and district attorney offices across the metroplex; crisis hotlines, legal help, referrals, counseling, individualized safety planning, and crime victim compensation are just a few. Awareness of these issues will change the atmosphere at colleges and universities about domestic violence and sexual assault for students and staff to be more open to dialogue about these issues, instead of being a hidden, dirty secret that can endanger everyone on campus.


The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey shows the percentage of men and women
that have experienced different types of violence in their lifetimes in the graph above (Breiding et al.).


Conclusion
Once domestic violence and sexual assault awareness classes have been developed and taken by students and staff, colleges will have a culture of awareness on campus. The graph from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey above shows that 32.9% of women and 28.1% of men were victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in his or her lifetime (Breiding et al.). This is a significant safety issue that cannot be ignored. Open communication and knowledge of resources will lead to better protection for victims that may be on campus, victims in homes of students and staff, as well as the community as a whole. Unfortunately, the recent shooting in a San Bernadino elementary school is not unique. Violent crimes that start as domestic violence or stalking situations similar to this can often end in tragedy at the workplace of the victim. Until students and staff on campus are armed with the tools to protect themselves and others, we will continue to be at a higher risk.  Since many colleges and universities are also charged with protecting the children that are on campus daily through Head Start and Early College High School programs, campuses needs to be extremely vigilant about safety. Although it is true that not all violent crimes in the personals lives and on campus can be avoided, steps need to be taken to reduce the risks. This Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Course will help make colleges and universities safer for all people who go to school or work on campus.




Works Cited
Breiding, M.J., et al. "Intimate Partner Violence in the United States - 2010." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Feb. 2014, www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/cdc_nisvs_ipv_report_2013_v17_single_a.pdf. Accessed 29 Apr. 2017.
"Clery Act Security Information." Brookhaven College, www.brookhavencollege.edu/bhcservices/police/Pages/clery-act.aspx#awareness. Accessed 23 Apr. 2017.
Lewkowicz, Sara Naomi. "Photographer as Witness: A Portrait of Domestic Violence." Time, 27 Feb. 2013, time.com/3525038/photographer-as-witness-a-portrait-of-domestic-violence/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2017.
"Promising Practices of Protecting Victims of Sexual Assault and/or Domestic Violence." Hope for Children Foundation, uploaded by Sarah M. Buel, www.hopeforchildrenfoundation.org/members-2/training-videos-2/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2017.
"Protecting Students from Sexual Assault." U.S. Department of Justice, www.justice.gov/ovw/protecting-students-sexual-assault#campusgrant. Accessed 24 Apr. 2017.
"San Bernardino gunman had a history of domestic abuse allegations." LA Times, 19 Apr. 2017, www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-bernardino-classroom-killings-20170411-story.html. Accessed 19 Apr. 2017.
"Sharp - Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention." Brookhaven College, alt.brookhavencollege.edu/studentsvcs/police/Pages/sharp.aspx?nobranding=true. Accessed 23 Apr. 2017.
"Statistics." National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ncadv.org/learn-more/statistics. Accessed 19 Apr. 2017.
"Violence Against Women Act." National Network to End Domestic Violence, nnedv.org/policy/issues/vawa.html. Accessed 22 Apr. 2017.

"Wheel Gallery." Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, www.theduluthmodel.org/wheel-gallery/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2017.

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