As a community of Ducks, we have many students actively engaged in the prevention of sexual violence. Over the years we have been involved in leadership through community-engagement projects, drawing national attention through groundbreaking programs, and moving student communities forward for positive social change. We have several opportunities for students to get involved, develop leadership skills, and significantly contribute toward a campus culture that does not tolerate sexual violence.
Fraternity and Sorority Life Sexual Violence Prevention Leadership Board
In 2014, Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) executive leadership established a task force requiring one member from each chapter to serve as a representative. The Interfraternity Council President and Panhellenic President established a task force to prevent sexual violence based on the the 2014-2015 UO Senate Task Force to Address Sexual Violence and Survivor Support. The FSL Task Force for Sexual Violence Prevention met weekly with the Director of Sexual Violence Prevention & Education to become more educated about sexual violence and develop leadership skills in motivating their respective chapters and communities to prevent sexual violence and respond appropriately to instances of sexual violence.
In 2015, the Director of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education worked with the Associate Dean of Students and a student intern to create a new curriculum for chapter education. They created five facilitated discussions designed to be fifteen minutes long and topically address sexual violence prevention through consent, bystander intervention, social norms, understanding how perpetrators use alcohol as a tool, and establishing appropriate response and support for survivors. This series was evaluated for efficacy and potential dissemination to other campus communities. Moving forward the Task Force is changing its name to become a sustainable Leadership Board and they will continue to meet weekly and provide ongoing education, motivation, and support for sexual violence prevention to their members.
UO Women’s Center
The mission of the UO Women's Center is to advocate for the best educational and working environment for the women at the University of Oregon. They accomplish this by working toward societal change and the end of oppression and by supporting personal growth. They are entirely student-fee funded and have a student director whose full responsibility is dedicated to sexual violence prevention and education. While the Women’s Center is engaged in sexual violence prevention and awareness efforts throughout the year, their most notable events are the toiletry drive for survivors of domestic violence and Take Back the Night—the international protest hosted each year to raise awareness about the realities of sexual violence. Take Back the Night is co-sponsored with the local non-profit Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS).
ASUO Men’s Center
The Men’s Center is a student supported center dedicated to help college men from diverse backgrounds lead healthy lives. The center was developed in 2002 with support from the Division of Student Life and was the first organization of its kind on a major college campus. The Men’s Center has taken charge to address sexual violence as a male issue and hosts several events to encourage men and the campus community to actively take a stand against sexual violence.
ASUO Organization Against Sexual Assault (OASA)
OASA is a student-led organization that advocates for survivors of sexual violence at the University of Oregon through increased education, prevention efforts, and survivor empowerment. They are driven toward social justice and dedicated to provide opportunities for more students to be involved in the prevention of sexual violence. One of their initiatives to engage more students is through the Coalition for Consent.
Sex Café
Sex Café is a student-run group with a mission to support sex positive experiences through open dialogue based on prompts and self-reflection. Sex Café is open to all female-identified and non-binary people, and meetings are based on the availability of the group each term. Sex Café is a connective, safer-space in which to reflect, co-educate, and care for yourself and one another responsibly as sexually active people. If you are interested in joining, email Sex Café for more information.
ASUO Safe Ride
Safe Ride is devoted to the idea that a person, regardless of gender identity, race, religion, or sexual preference, should be able to go where they wish at night while feeling comfortable and safe. Providing nearly 15,000 rides a year, Safe Ride is a free shuttle service that provides UO students, faculty, and staff with an alternative to walking alone at night.
Call 541-346-RIDE (7433) to schedule a ride.