The University’s Not on Our Grounds initiative hosted the #HoosGotYourBack campaign Tuesday in an effort to raise awareness about being an active bystander and to prevent sexual violence.
At the event, students gathered on the Lawn and completed a pledge by physically signing a banner with the goal of accepting responsibility and becoming a part of the solution in ending sexual and gender-based violence. The pledge includes commitments to learn about sexual assault, start a conversation, speak out and intervene, be prepared and support survivors.
“#HoosGotYourBack is a campaign that says [we] as University students, administrators, faculty members, Corner merchants and people in this community, we are going to stand up, have each other’s backs, look out for each other and really send the message that violence will not be tolerated on these Grounds,” third-year College student Maeve Curtin said.
There are many different organizations on Grounds working toward the same goal to prevent sexual violence. Both Green Dot and the #HoosGotYourBack campaign fall under the umbrella initiative Not On Our Grounds.
“Green Dot is the actual content through the trainings that we offer and how you work through some of the scenarios and how to actually intervene, and #HoosGotYourBack is the reminder to then use those skills,” Rachel Kiliany, staff member of #HoosGotYourBack and program coordinator for prevention in the Office of the Dean of Students, said.
Students who were unable to attend the event can still pledge their support on the Not On Our Grounds website, Curtin said. Currently, there are more than 700 signatures, about 200 more than last year.
The campaign is especially trying to spread active bystander awareness during the Red Zone, commonly known as the first six weeks of school when students are at a higher risk for violence, Curtin said.
After signing the campaign, students receive a free t-shirt with the #HoosGotYourBack logo. Kiliany explained that seeing the t-shirts being worn on Thursdays and Fridays is a way to remind students to be an active bystander on the weekends.
In addition to campaigns on Grounds, event coordinators have been working since July on partnering with businesses on the Corner.
“All of the merchants have been very supportive,” Kiliany said. “We have about 20 merchant partners that have willingly purchased shirts from us, so that was where a majority of our efforts during the summer were spent.”
Kiliany said she does not want the campaign to just be about a t-shirt, but for the shirt to be an action item to remind students of what they learn from Green Dot.
“Green Dot equips you with many different ways in which you can be an active bystander so that students feel like they can have an impact in what they are doing and that they’re not going to be put at risk for looking out for people in this community,” Curtin said.
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