Nonviolence Goes to College

The K-State SafeZone Program

SafeZone HistoryOriginally developed in the 1980’s

to serve needs of students being harassed because of sexual orientation. It served the students to know a Safe Place, a person with whom they could speak and be heard.

At KSU the program slowed in the late 90’s; occasionally you’d see a placard on a door. The original Logo:

Original SafeZone Logo

SafeZone HistoryRevitalized in 2002 through

the Campaign for Nonviolence, QSA, and the President’s Commission on the Status of Women

Changes were made to update the program and include more populations

ChangesExpanded populations served:

Issues related to Gay, lesbian,bisexual &,

transgendered studentsSexual assault victimsHateful acts (hate crimes,

bullying, bias, harassment)

Hate crimes versus hateful acts

Current logo

Special Topics were added:

Issues related to International StudentsDealing with DepressionSuicidal StudentsNonviolent Communications Skills Training

communication

poster

SafeZone TrainingEveryone takes an “Introductory

Training” where they meet folks who train in areas of GLBT issues, sexual violence issues, and hateful acts issues. Emphasis is on listening skills, referral, crisis intervention.

Next, these SafeZone “Allies”, are expected to take Advanced Trainings each semester on specific topics, and other offerings as they wish.

SafeZone AlliesHelp create an atmosphere, an

expectation on the campus of openness and communication.

The presence of SafeZone symbols on doors throughout campus adds to the idea that threatening behavior is not OK.

We hope that while crime stats may rise through an increase in reporting, that SafeZone will act as a deterrent against violence as well.

Current SafeZone Allies

122 students171 staff and faculty

222 on campus71 off campus

Webpage:

http://www.k-state.edu/womenscenter/SafeZone.htm

Two samples :

An informational flier given to faculty and a 3X5 “Get in the SafeZone” Card laminated for allies.

Getting in the (Safe) Zone 

1) Listen/Believe - As listeners, our role is to make ourselves available, to let the person know it is safe to talk with us. Don’t prod, push, or judge; just listen and affirm the expressed feelings. Speak in private, without rushing. Stay calm and believe. It is not our job to

investigate or discover the truth.3) Communicate/Give hope by assuring the person that things can

get better; that there are resources and options available to them.4) Maintain- Keeping clear and consistent boundaries and expectations are healthy for you and the student. Resist any

tendencies to “take over” for the student unless it is clear that they are in danger or cannot get help themselves; in this case consult and

refer. 5) Refer to other resources * when the problem is more serious

than you feel comfortable handling; * if you are very stressed, busy, or preoccupied; * if you have helped as much as you can; * when

personal feelings interfere with your objectivity; * if the person wants information or help that you cannot give.

 Normalize the process of getting help: “Successful people seek

support.”It is natural to have fears and concerns about sharing one’s

difficulties.It is the competent, courageous aspect of an individual that seeks

assistance.www.ksu.edu/nonviolence

SAFE ZONE allies ask themselves: 

Is this person safe? KSU Police: 532-6412; Riley County Police: 537-2112

Emergency Shelter: The Crisis Center 1-800-727-2785; Manhattan: 539-2785

Does this person need medical attention?Lafene Health Center: 532-6544; Women’s Clinic, 532-6554

Mercy Hospital Emergency Room, 1823 College Ave., 776-3322Does this person know where to find counseling, support, or a

personal advocate? KSU Counseling Services, 532-6927, www.ksu.edu/counseling

K-State Women’s Center, 206 Holton Hall, 532-6444 KSU Student Attorney: 532-6541

If a student, who can help with academic issues?Office of Student Life, 532-6432

 

Click on a building to view the SafeZone allies

Some peers

The 412 Event

Darcy at 412

Wildcats Against Rape

Date with hate 2006

A parent’s view

Violence and nonviolence

Strange madness

A Season for Nonviolence

Open Mind, Open Heart, Open House for SafeZone Allies & Friends

January 30 – Monday 3:30 – 5pm, Flint Hills Room of the K-State Union

Teach for America Information Session January 30 – Monday 7:00 pm, Sunflower Room of the K-State Union

Brother Outsider – Film Sponsored by Flint Hills Human Rights Project

February 2 – Thursday 7pm, Room 209 K-State Union

MAPJ Potluck February 6 – Monday 6:30pm, UU Fellowship – 481 Zeandale Rd.

Nonviolent Communication Workshop – Intimate Relationships

February 7 – Tuesday 7pm, Big 12 Room K-State Union

Benefit Concert:: Auntie Mae’s Parlor February 16, Thursday 9pm sponsored by ACTION

Gandhian Legacy & Grassroots Development

February 22 – Wednesday 3:30pm, Room 203 K-State Union

Dangerous Living – Film Sponsored by Flint Hills Human Rights Project February 23 – Thursday 7pm, Room 213 K-State Union

Color of Fear – Film March 2 – Thursday 7pm, Room 213 K-State Union

MAPJ Potluck March 6 – Monday 6:30pm, UU Fellowship – 481 Zeandale Rd.

Vipassana Meditation March 6 – Monday 7pm, Manhattan Public Library

Iron Jawed Angels – Film Sponsored by Ordinary Women

March 7 - Tuesday 7pm, Big 12 Room, K-State Union

Walk/Camp on the Tallgrass Prairie: March 11-12 – Saturday/Sunday Margy’s Bird Runners Wildlife Preserve. Sponsored by Students for Environmental Action & The

Audubon Society

Earth Day – Northeast Prairie Walk The Audubon Society March 20 – Monday

An example of SafeZone training Films:

increasing empathy and awareness.

FEAR:Martha’s

Story

Bring Some

Nonviolence Back

Transform Your Campus

To read in more detail about the ideas presented in the "Nonviolence Goes to College" session, see:  www.ksu.edu/womenscenter/  "Reframing the Debate: Crisis Center to Campaign for Nonviolence," Susan L. Allen in Turning Ideas Into Action, forthcoming. "Activist Media Anthropology - Antidote to Extremist Worldviews," Susan L. Allen, in Media Anthropology, Rothenbuhler and Coman, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2005. "Organic Balance as a Conceptual Frame work for Social Change Movements," Susan L. Allen, Community and the World: Participating in Social Change, T.D. Dickinson, Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science, 2003.  "Activist Anthropology in a Women’s Center," Voices, 5(1), 11-15, December 2001. (Retrieved December 27, 2004, from http://sscl.berkeley.edu/ %7Eafaweb/Voices.pdf )