2 ND CLASS Step it Up

The Citadel’s Mission and Vision To educate and develop our students to become principled leaders in all walks of life by instilling the core values of The Citadel in a disciplined and intellectually challenging environment.

Objectives To incorporate The Citadel’s Leader Development Program (LDP) as it relates to 2 nd class cadets … Lead. To understand the concept of Bystander Intervention through a five-step process, alcohol-facilitated sexual assault/harassment case studies, and discussion.

Step it up…Lead. Juniors, as leaders in the corps, have the duty to understand, apply, and execute concepts.  How does this relate when it comes to understanding and responding to sexual harassment and sexual assault, especially when facilitated by alcohol?  Questions to discuss:  Understanding: Do you think you would recognize sexual assault or sexual harassment if you saw it?  Understanding: Do you think alcohol can play a role in assault and harassment?  Applying: As a 2 nd class cadet, what are your moral and ethical responsibilities, if any, to help others in difficult situations?

Stepping it up to Intervene Frequently, individuals witnessing issues like sexual harassment do not offer any means of help to victims.  This is called the “bystander effect.” Communities and colleges around the country are promoting bystander intervention instead. What is bystander intervention?  When someone who observes a situation (such as harassment, hazing, assault, etc.) then takes safe and effective actions to step in and offer assistance. At The Citadel, we call our bystander intervention program Step it Up. Why step in?  You are a leader. Leaders model more and ethical behavior. Bystander intervention is a proven concept that reduces violence on college campuses, making a safer, healthier environment for everyone.

Five steps toward taking action Step it Up…Bystander Intervention 1. Notice the situation or issue. 2. Decide if the situation or issue demands action. 3. Decide if you have the responsibility to act. 4. Choose what form of assistance to use. Some possible intervention techniques include:  Creating a diversion  Separating the parties  Using a group approach to diffuse the situation  Talking privately to the potential victim 5. Intervene safely  If danger is involved, call authorities instead of addressing the situation yourself.

Consider the scenarios on the following slides and decide if they involve situations in which you should and/or would intervene.  Please be aware that some of the material is graphic and might be disturbing to some people.

Sexual Harassment Case Study  html html 1. Did anyone notice the issue? o Give examples 2. Did the issue demand action? o Why or why not? 3. Did people have a responsibility to intervene? o Why or why not? 4. Could it have been unsafe to intervene? o Give examples

Sexual Assault Case Study Steubenville, Ohio  Show clip from 3:20-7:10 : rape-crew-and-their-slut-shaming-supporters-the-philip-defranco-show_newshttp:// rape-crew-and-their-slut-shaming-supporters-the-philip-defranco-show_news That was a lot of information, fast…Here’s a summary excerpted from Wikipedia  A rape occurred in Steubenville in A high school girl, incapacitated by alcohol, was …transported, undressed, photographed, and sexually assaulted. She was also penetrated vaginally by other students’ fingers (digital penetration), an act defined as rape under Ohio law.  The jocular attitude of the assailants was documented on Facebook, Twitter, text messages, and cell phone recordings of the acts.

The verdict Will there be a long-term impact on… the victim, the defendants, the town, the witnesses?

Breaking it Down to Step it Up Could this situation have been avoided? Use the five steps in bystander intervention to discuss. (Notice issue, decide if action is warranted, determine responsibility, act, ensure safety) 5.Could it have been unsafe to intervene? o Give examples 1.Did anyone notice the situation or issue? o Give examples 2.Was this a situation that demanded action? o Why or why not? 3. Did people attending the party have the responsibility to intervene? o Why or why not? 4. What are some ways they could have intervened? o Give examples

Summary Juniors are leaders. Leaders understand, apply, and execute concepts. Bystander intervention is a proven concept that reduces violence on college campuses, making a safer, healthier environment for everyone. While you won’t be able to stop every little thing that comes your way, you can promote and execute bystander intervention consistently. Step it Up and Lead.

Questions?