MANSFIELD, PA— Mansfield University will hold a series of events during the month of October in support of The Red Flag Campaign, a public awareness initiative designed to address dating violence, sexual assault and stalking and prevent them on college campuses.
Designed as a “bystander intervention” strategy, the campaign encourages friends and other campus community members to “say something” when they see warning signs (“red flags”) for dating violence in a friend’s relationship. The campaign was started by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance in 2005 and has spread to campuses across the country.
“As members of the community at Mansfield University, we know that students are interested in seeking out relationships with their peers, in terms of both friendships and dating relationships,” Janice Purk, associate professor of Social Work and Sociology and secretary of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, said. “Unfortunately not every relationship is healthy or positive. Dating violence happens in one out of four intimate relationships during college.”
Red Flag Campaign posters will be seen throughout campus in October. On October 14, Red Flags will be placed on the Student Mall for two weeks.
On Thursday, October 15, a Consent Workshop will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in Allen Hall, Room 104.
A discuss on “Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships” will be held on Tuesday October 20, 7 p.m. in the Hickory Hall Multi-Purpose Room.
On Wednesday October 21, 6 p.m. in Alumni Hall, Room 317, the film Perks of Being a Wallflower will be shown followed by an open discussion.
“Design Your Own Dating Partner” will be the topic of a presentation and discussion on Thursday October 22, 7 p.m. in the Oak Hall Multi-Purpose Room.
The film Little Mermaid will be shown on Monday, October 26, 6 p.m. in Alumni Hall, Room 317. A panel discussion will follow the screening.
On Wednesday, October 28, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the President’s Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) will hold an open meeting and conversation about the campaign
All events are free and open to the public. They are sponsored by PCSW. For more information, email jpurk@mansfield.edu
For more information on The Red Flag Campaign, go to theredflagcampaign.org