VIP Center Shapes a Violence-free Campus

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 7, 2012) — Everyone can play a role in a safe and violence-free campus by getting involved with the University of Kentucky Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center.

Join the VIP Center: Shaping a Violence-free Campus, home of the nationally recognized Green Dot violence-prevention strategy.

The “Shaping a Violence-free Campus” initiative comprises a variety of programs and activities to fit personal interests, including Green Dot training, internships, the Rock the Dot variety show, Connection Cinema film screenings, online photo-journaling workshops and a safe, supportive space to talk and explore the issues.

This fall, the VIP Center and Late Night Film Series are partnering to present “Connection Cinema.” This edifying new series brings to UK cutting-edge films concerning violence prevention, social justice and awareness. These thought-provoking films, all relevant to today’s college students, will be screened on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the Center Theater in the Student Center. All the screenings are TallyCat events, and admission is free. The films include:

·        “The Bro Code” (8 p.m. Sept. 18): This film explores male culture and the media forces that influence how boys and men view women in today’s society. http://www.mediaed.org/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=246

·        “Precious” (8 p.m. Oct. 2): This film is an adaptation of author Sapphire’s best-selling novel about an abused, overweight, illiterate African-American teen from Harlem who discovers an alternate path in life after she begins attending a new school. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929632/

·        “The Purity Myth” (8 p.m. Oct. 16): This film takes aim at the notion of judging the goodness of girls based on their sexuality. Topics include abstinence-only education, planned parenthood and women’s health care. http://www.mediaed.org/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=247

Throughout the 2012 fall semester, the VIP Center will offer a number of creative, hands-on workshops, https://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/VIPCenter/pe_workshops.php.  Beginning in September, the workshops include online photojournaling, Map Your Journey with mapmaking, art journaling, printmaking and digital storytelling.

In October, the VIP Center and the Counseling Center join forces to bring to campus a series of activities and discussions related to healthy dating. Contact the VIP Center for additional information about the sessions and to explore what a healthy relationship means.

On Oct. 25 Mia Goldman, author and director of “Open Window,” a film about healing from trauma, will speak at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in the Student Center’s Worsham Theater as part of the Bale Boone Symposium on Art and Healing. Her address, “Using Film to Heal from Trauma,” is sponsored by the VIP Center, the Office for Institutional Diversity and the Gaines Center for the Humanities. The event is part of the Gaines Center for the Humanities Bale Boone Symposium on Art and Healing.

In addition, the center’s Green Dot training will equip attendees with the necessary tools to shape a violence-free campus. Register and check out additional information and dates at: http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/VIPCenter/pe_greendottraining.php.

• Greek Green Dot Initiation

Sunday, Sept. 30, VIP Center

During this presentation new Greek members and officers connect to the powerful role they can play in ending violence through the Green Dot campaign at UK. Using videos, interactive media, and research-informed bystander knowledge, students will walk away with an understanding of how to use their influence to endorse a culture free of violence and fear through their chapter and beyond.

• Three-part Green Dot Training

Mondays, Oct. 15, 22 and 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m., VIP Center

The 3 Part Green Dot Training is a powerful, research-based approach to violence prevention designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to live the Green Dot in their world. Its aim is to empower bystanders to create social change by changing attitudes and behaviors toward sexual assault, partner violence, and stalking. It will take place over three interactive sessions at the VIP Center.

The Violence Intervention and Prevention Center of the UK Division of Student Affairs works with students, staff, faculty and community partners towards shaping a violence-free campus.

For more information about these events, contact Melanie Matson at 859-257-2884 or melanie.matson@uky.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Hairston, 859-257-3302, gail.hairston@uky.edu