VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Sexual violence can be difficult to define in today’s environment of division. It is any type of unwanted sexual contact. Sexual violence can be perpetrated by and can affect all genders, age groups, and sexual identities. It can include words or actions of a sexual nature without a person’s consent or against someone who is
unable to give consent due to age, disability, limes or the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Some forms of sexual violence are not actually illegal, such as sexually violent jokes, comments about someone’s appearance, sexual orientation or gender identity, catcalling, and vulgar gestures.

Bystanders can speak up when they see or hear these types of behaviors in order to promote safety, respectful relationships, and safer communities.

However, these behaviors are also threatening and harmful because they all contribute to a culture that accepts sexual violence.

Sexual violence CAN be prevented. Research has shown that bystanders prevented injuries in 1.2 million violent victimization every year from 1993 to 1999. Research also shows that bystander intervention programs, like Green Dot, are effective in changing participant’s attitudes and willingness to intervene. This is extremely important if we are going to realize our goal of making Valley City a community that does not tolerate violence.

Green Dot can help you learn to become an engaged bystander. This is someone who intervenes in the cause before, during, or after a situation when they see or hear behaviors that promote violence. It can also be someone who continually does things proactively to show they people in their lives that they do not tolerate violence.

Contact Valley City Green Dot to learn how you can become an engaged bystander. Find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using @vcgreendot or email them at vcgreendot@gmail.com or visit their website www.vcgreendot.com