Prevention, Education, and Awareness

All new employees are required to complete training addressing sexual and other forms of illegal harassment and University policies with regard to reporting, and all employees receive additional training on an annual basis.  In addition, potential decision-makers and investigators handling matters under this Policy are trained on issues specific to handling Prohibited Conduct matters.

Annual training is provided to student HRC employees (Resident Advisors and Community Advisors) that focuses on University policies, procedures, and resources regarding Prohibited Conduct and addresses unique situations relevant to HRC employees who are also students.

Annual training is provided to student athletes that focuses on University policies, procedures, and resources regarding Prohibited Conduct.  This training addresses Prohibited Conduct, obtaining consent, how to report Prohibited Conduct, resources available, and bystander intervention techniques.

At Bama Bound student orientation, all incoming students are made aware of the Safer Living Guide, which is published and available to all students and employees in multiple facilities on campus as well as on-line on UAPD’s website.

Among other things, this guide describes safe and positive options for bystander intervention, which are safe and positive options that may be carried out by an individual or individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of sexual assault/rape, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.  Bystander intervention includes recognizing situations of potential harm, overcoming barriers to intervening, identifying safe and effective intervention options, and taking action to intervene. Some safe and positive options for bystander intervention include:

• Making up an excuse to get the individual out of a potentially dangerous situation;
• Letting a friend or co-worker know that an individual’s actions may lead to serious consequences;
• Never leaving an intoxicated individual’s side, despite the efforts of someone to get that individual alone or away from you;
• Using a group of friends to remind someone behaving inappropriately that their behavior should be respectful;
• Taking steps to curb someone’s use of alcohol before problems occur;
• Calling the authorities when the situation warrants; and,
• Understanding how to safely implement the choice. Safety is paramount in active bystander intervention. Usually, intervening in a group is safer than intervening individually. Also, choosing a method of intervention that de-escalates the situation is safer than attempting a confrontation. However, there is no single rule that can account for every situation.

The guide also identifies risk reduction strategies, measures a person can take to decrease their chances of becoming a victim of sexual assault/rape, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking and reducing the risk of drug-induced sexual assaults/rapes while recognizing that only those who commit sexual violence are responsible for those actions. Situational awareness and trusting one’s instincts may reduce the risk of sexual assault/rape. The tips below are provided to help students decrease the potential chance of sexual assault/rape:

• If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Do not leave your beverage unattended or accept a drink from an open container.
• When you are with someone, communicate clearly to ensure he or she knows your limits and/or expectations from the beginning. Both verbal and nonverbal (body language) communication can be used to ensure the message is understood.
• If you go on a date with someone you do not know very well, tell a close friend what your plans are.
• You have the right to say “No” even if you first say “Yes,” and then change your mind; have had sex with this partner before; have been kissing or “making out”; or are wearing what is perceived to be “provocative” clothing.
• Always have extra money to get home. Have a plan for someone you can call if you need help.
• If you feel uncomfortable, scared, or pressured, say “Stop it” or leave and call for help.
• When you go to a party, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, watch out for each other and leave together.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• If possible, avoid being isolated with a person you do not know or trust.
• Travel with a friend or in a group.
• Walk only in lighted areas after dark.
• Avoid walking alone after dark or during late hours.
• Keep the doors to homes, apartments, and cars locked.
• Know where phones are located.

This website contains information on how to contact individuals to make a report of Prohibited Conduct.

The UA Safety App provides students and employees with immediate access to information in case of an emergency. The App provides contact information for Safety and Support departments on campus including UAPD, the Title IX Office, and the WGRC.  The App provides a direct link to the UAct website.

Campus-wide programs coordinated by the WGRC are designed to increase awareness about sexual assault/rape, dating/domestic violence, and stalking as well as providing information on victim services available on campus.  The programming may also include topics relating to violence prevention and bystander intervention behavior.  (For example, WGRC offers Bystander Intervention Panels as part of its Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month programming, where students provide advice on how to interrupt and end dating violence.)  Informational brochures and pamphlets focusing on interpersonal violence are available for the University community.  This information includes definitions of the various types of interpersonal violence, information about prevalence, options for reporting, services available to victims, and information on the legal and judicial process.  Additional information packets are available for victims of interpersonal violence as well as their friends and family.

The Frances S. Summersell Library is part of the UA library system and is located in the WGRC.  The library provides a variety of resources including DVDs and books, which are available for checkout and/or review by students, faculty, and staff of the University of Alabama. Many resources are available on the topics of sexual assault/rape, dating/domestic violence, and stalking.

Some of the more noted educational programs and outreach services offered by the WGRC include:

• Peer Education and Leadership: The WGRC staff engages students in peer education and leadership programs to address interpersonal violence. Through training, peer educators gain a clear understanding of the dynamics of interpersonal violence and the resources available to address the issues. After receiving training, students apply that knowledge to a peer education model in which they promote healthy relationships and assist in providing programs for students and the campus community about interpersonal violence and how victims can access campus services. Peer education and leadership is implemented through a number of models, including the WGRC Student Leadership Council; the WGRC Ambassadors; and Greek Safe, who are Greek peer leader/educators trained on the issues of interpersonal violence and serve as peer leaders for their chapter.
• Interpersonal Violence/Speakers Bureau: The WGRC staff is available to serve as speakers to present programs on a wide variety of issues including interpersonal violence, healthy relationships, and leadership. Presentations can take place on or off of campus for classes, organizations, clubs, and other groups. Presentations can be offered in person or virtually, and they can be adapted to the specific needs of an organization (ex. discipline specific, subtopics, etc.).
• Harbor: The purpose of Harbor is to create safe places throughout campus where victims of interpersonal violence can go to receive assistance. Through the training, faculty and staff gain insight and sensitivity to the issues of dating/domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, and stalking. Harbor trainings last approximately two hours and can be incorporated into a single staff meeting or broken into components to accommodate participant schedules.
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month:  The WGRC staff coordinates various campaigns for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April of every year.  Activities both at the university and in the community include initiatives such as the Clothesline Project, These Hands Don’t Hurt, information displays, rallies and candlelight vigils, the purple and teal awareness ribbon campaigns, and art exhibits designed to educate our community about interpersonal violence, such as the Wounded Heart display.

Additional programming and resources provided by the WGRC can be found on their website.

The Department of Health Promotion and Wellness in the Student Health Center provides education and training opportunities via the Project Health Ambassadors and Health Hut.  The Health Ambassadors provide programming in residence halls.  Health Hut Interns engage visitors with games, activities, and conversations aimed at increasing student awareness about health issues and behaviors that directly affect them, increase student knowledge about healthy behaviors and making healthy choices, and reduce the barriers students perceive to improving their health.  While this group provides a variety of programming, noted programming concerning Prohibited Conduct occurs during Sexual Responsibility Week, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

More information about Health Promotion and Wellness can be found on their website.

The UAPD Community Oriented Police program and other areas within UAPD provide Prohibited Conduct awareness, education, and prevention/risk reduction presentations to the University community throughout the year.

The Office provides targeted education and awareness programs for specific groups on campus based on requests by the group or organization and/or based on reporting trends.

Additional departments/groups on campus provide training to specific groups of the University community. These departments include, but are not limited to:  Fraternity & Sorority Life; Office of Student Conduct; The SOURCE/Office of Student Involvement; Intercollegiate Athletics; Housing and Residential Communities; University of Alabama School of Law – Domestic Violence Law Clinic; Office of Counsel; and Human Resources Learning & Development.