Title IX Campaign Launches: “Don’t stand by. Speak Up!”

“Don’t Stand By. Speak Up!” This is the new slogan heard all over campus regarding some major issues on campus like sexual assault, discrimination, alcohol use, depression, and hazing. This past spring, Kristie Damell, the Assistant Dean of Students, organized a group which consisted of various students and staff members. This group worked on understanding the issues Stevens’s students face and how to address these concerns from the standpoint of prevention and awareness.

The inspiration for this program came after the NCAA’s Step Up campaign was premiered last year with the athletics department. “As one of the primary facilitators, and based on student surveys, I felt we needed a program that was specifically designed for the Stevens community so that the message could resonate more deeply with our students,” stated Damell. As the Title IX coordinator, Damell has had to focus more on education and training on sexual assault and consent. However, she had a new agenda for this year: to focus on prevention and creating a new culture with respect and care for each other. Past campaigns and events include “It’s On Us,” Purple Thursday, and Take Back the Night. This campaign consists of various awareness months and programs with the collaboration with departments like CAPS and Athletics, an ad campaign, and a new training module.

“Don’t Stand By. Speak Up!” teaches the 3 D’s of Bystander Intervention – Direct, Distract, Delegate. The ad campaign advertises the 3 D’s through different flyers posted all over campus and magnets. Students receive magnets after they attend a training or program. The ads will be displayed around campus throughout the year, in conjunction with relevant programs and events.

A 45-minute training module was created and piloted to the Orientation Leaders and Resident Assistants. Training will continue with the Athletics department to educate the teams. Assessments will be critical so that the most effective approach can be introduced to all incoming freshmen during Orientation next year.  “Student leaders, fraternities and sororities, and the general student population will also have an opportunity to attend a training throughout the year,” says Damell. This campaign is geared towards the Stevens community. Stevens students created a script, cast students and staff members, and filmed a “Speak Up” video. The video can be viewed at ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey8SoFE8eUo.

“In developing this program, my hope is that it is foundational enough and simple enough that any student could, in turn, educate their respective organizations, teams or residence halls on the information.  I am developing a facilitator guide and hope to also have a number of students serve as facilitators.  Ultimately, the goal is for our students to understand that we are one community and that as community members, we can make a difference by speaking up.  Whether it be in regards to recognizing warning signs of depression or stepping in when someone has had too much drink, this campaign can help empower students to safely intervene in situations by using the 3 D’s – Direct. Distract. Delegate.”