Georgia State University strives to create a safe environment for students, faculty and staff. The university will not tolerate sexual misconduct (non-consensual sexual misconduct, non-consensual sexual contact, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking) and will take the necessary steps to create a violence-free campus.
Join others in the Georgia State University community and take the pledge end to sexual violence. Take the ITSONUS Pledge today. Watch the latest ITsOnUS PSA.
Bystander Intervention Strategies
Has there ever been a time when you felt, or even knew that, something was wrong and wanted to help but didn’t? You’re not alone. This situation is more common than you might think and is known as the bystander effect. It is especially common in group settings, where everyone assumes that someone else will do something or assumes that, since no one is doing anything, it is not a problem. Below are the five steps to overcoming the bystander effect and doing something to make a difference in the life of a community member.
Be aware of your surroundings and look out for your friends. Pay attention to situations that may easily escalate. What may start off as a disagreement may escalate into a physical altercation.
Help can be direct or indirect. Direct help means you are intervening in the situation to address the problem, Indirect help means that your request for assistance from someone else.
Whether your help is direct or indirect, the most important thing is for you to step up and do something. If you or someone you carried about was in trouble, what would you want someone to do for you.
The Sexual Assault Prevention online courses are tailored to their respective audiences and provide information about critical topics affecting college students everywhere — relationship violence, sexual assault, stalking and sexual harassment. It’s designed to help students be a positive influence in addressing the topics in both personal and academic life. Even if a student is not directly impacted by relationship violence, sexual assault, stalking or sexual harassment, chances are most people know someone who is.
The Dean of Students office provides ongoing awareness and training on the Georgia State University Student Code of Conduct, Sexual Misconduct Policy. They offer an interactive program that helps participants understand when to report, how to report incidents and examines their own beliefs about sexual misconduct. For more information, contact the Dean of Students office at 404-413-1515. Submit a request to schedule a training.
This interactive program is designed to educate the university community on bystander intervention and risk reduction techniques. The goal is to demonstrate the role everyone can play in reducing incidents of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking. For more information, contact Student Health Promotion.
This is a program that explores the dynamics of healthy relationships. How do intimate partners communicate effectively to ensure that both partners are treated with dignity and respect? In this program, participants will learn about the warning sign of dating violence, support resources if they are experiencing relationship violence and how to help a friend. For more information, contact Student Health Promotion.
Georgia State provides students, faculty and staff with the LiveSafe app – a safety tool that provides a quick, convenient and discrete way to communicate with Georgia State University Police Department.
Safety Escorts by the Georgia State University Police Department are available 24/7 to nearby parking decks, public and private parking lots, bus stops and train stations. You can request this service anytime you feel unsafe in your travels around campus by calling 404-413-3333. The “Ride Safe” option is available from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday-Friday (See Route Map). Rides can be scheduled using the Live Safe App or by calling 404-413-3333. (Georgia State and Five Points).
Uber has partnered with the City of Atlanta Take a Stand campaign, because the ride-sharing service can offer a safe ride home to someone in a risky situation. The company is offering $20 off a user’s first ride with the code CityofAtlanta to support the campaign. The Atlanta Police Department urges everyone to make use of these smartphone apps to protect themselves.
With Circle of 6, you can connect with your friends to stay close, stay safe and prevent violence before it happens. The Circle of 6 app for iPhone and Android makes it quick and easy to reach the six friends you choose. Need help getting home? Need an interruption? Two touches let your circle know where you are and how they can help. Icons represent actions, so that no one can tell what you’re up to. Designed for college students, it’s fast, easy-to-use and private. It’s the mobile way to look out for your friends, on campus or when you’re out for the night.
