Fall 2023 VAWPP Facilitators
WGSS 3271 Seminar on Rape Education and Awareness I (1 credit)
This course explores issues of gender-based violence and trains those enrolled to facilitate prevention and awareness workshops for the campus community. Students are required to attend an intensive one-day retreat and participate in weekly seminars.
Students interested in applying for a VAWPP Peer Facilitator position in Fall 2024 must complete this course this Spring (2024).
UConn Men’s Project
The Men’s Project is an eleven-week training that begins in February. The meeting day and time is determined by participant availability.
The program is supported by the UConn Women’s Center and the Asian American Cultural Center, whose staff serve as advisors and support for this initiative. The goal of The Men’s Project is to train students who identify as men to positively influence their peers by challenging social norms that promote gender-based violence; understanding their connection to survivors of gender-based violence; and role modeling effective bystander interventions. The weekly meetings will focus on topics related to gender socialization, masculinities, social justice and gender-based violence. Previous year’s participants shared that the program was transformative, challenging, and that after the program their implementation of bystander intervention strategies greatly increased.
We will select approximately 20 students who identify as men for this initiative. The purpose of the project is to train individuals who may be seen as having influence with their peers. We are looking for a diverse group of participants with unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. Ideal candidates are students who relate well to other men; who are sensitive to issues of gender-based violence; and are open to collective and collaborative learning.
If you are interested or know of men who may be, please forward potential candidates’ names and all known contact information to mensproject@uconn.edu.
Greeks Against Sexual Assault (GASA)
The goal of Greeks Against Sexual Assault (GASA) is to train members of fraternities and sororities so they can then positively influence their peers by challenging social norms that promote gender-based violence; understanding their connection to survivors of gender-based violence; and role modeling effective bystander interventions. The weekly meetings will explore issues of gender, privilege, social justice and how we can stop sexual assault and interpersonal violence, specifically within the Greek community.
This program is co-sponsored by the UConn Women’s Center and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL).
For more information, please contact GASA@uconn.edu
In-Power
In-Power is a student-led peer support group that brings community, grounding, and healing to create a safe space for survivors of sexual violence. Through weekly meetings Co-Facilitators orchestrate group discussions that encourage our members to share their stories, heal open wounds, and provide extra resources, to be heard, valued, and respected. Our Co-Facilitators create a safe and supportive environment for all students despite gender and race. Our overarching mission is to advocate for survivors and foster a culture of education and empowerment within the student body, striving to effect positive change and elevate the voices of those who have experienced trauma.
For more information, please contact in-power@uconn.edu