UCF introduces new awareness program

Incoming students will become more aware of how to keep themselves safe in risky social situations thanks to a new mandatory program.

"We thought it was very important that students be more aware. So we are now giving three modules which will be mandatory: alcohol education, sexual assault and academic integrity," said Delaine Priest, associate vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Services.

The focus of the sexual assault aspect of the program is to educate students about sexual violence, said Christine Mouton, coordinator advocate for Victim Services.

Specifically, it encourages students to participate in bystander interaction by bringing up legal issues, consent and the factor of alcohol. It gives students options for intervening and preventing someone from becoming a victim, she said.

The program was conducted for volunteers last year and received very positive feedback, according to both Priest and Mouton.

"A lot of the students thanked UCF for offering the program," Mouton said. "Some said, ‘I've learned things I didn't know,' ‘I've learned how to protect myself from being a victim and a perpetrator.' They learned a little more about the risks of being a college student."

Kelly Quintero, a junior political science major and president of UCF's National Organization for Women Campus Action Network, hopes this program will reduce the number of sexual assaults on campus.

She also believes events that NOW hosts, such as Take Back the Night and Light up the Night, have influenced awareness of sexual violence at UCF, "especially this year, because it was bigger than ever before."

Priest agreed that anything that would help educate students and raise awareness was helpful and important. In addition to that, she said many other schools have implemented modules on these particular topics.

"It's about time," Quintero said. "I think the only way that UCF can become a leader in sexual assault awareness is through pushing programs like these to other universities and showing that they work. But they also need to take action against those that do victimize and really push for students to get informed. It's just really important for UCF and its community to really put themselves out there as a forerunner in ending sexual assaults on campus."

Victims Services' goal is to make UCF one of the safest universities in the nation, Mouton said.

"These are the expectations we have out of students, so there's no misinterpretation of what is appropriate. We're making you reassess your actions and help make you a productive student."

She also said it was important that students have a positive understanding and a feeling of support.

"Our goal is that no one would have to access our services," Mouton said. "But this way students can learn the proper responses. If they see a situation that can become harmful, they have the tools and can utilize that knowledge to reduce violence."

Mouton said she feels the course will be more relatable to students because it's more peer-driven. Much of the program consists of videos of other students discussing assault myths and violence, she said.

"It gives power to the students," Mouton said. "It gives them the power to help each other out."