University Chronicle

Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Kati Axelson Lee LaDue, assistant director at SCSU's Women Center, speaking to SCSU students at the Respect and Responsibility Workshop Monday night. All SCSU freshmen and transfer students are required to attend the workshop.

Sexual assault is an issue that can be found on any college campus, and the first step to stop the violence is through education.

Since 1992, SCSU students have had to attend the mandatory Respect and Responsibility Workshop, which is coordinated by the SCSU Women's Center and conducted in Ritsche Auditorium.

Eric Honetschlager, first-year student, attended the workshop this year and said it was a good program for students to attend because a lot of people do not understand the different forms of assault.

"There are a lot of things you have to be careful about such as where you put your drink," Honetschlager said. "You have to be watchful of your surroundings."

Brittany Voth, third-year student, also attended the workshop her first year. Voth said the main message she too received was that students have to be careful.

"I think it's good to have a class right before coming into college because freshmen don't really know what they are getting themselves into," Voth said. "Just be mindful of your drinks and how many you have. Always drink with someone you trust."

Not only does the workshop focus on sexual assault prevention, but roles as a citizen.

Lee LaDue, assistant director and coordinator of the Gender Violence Prevention Program for the SCSU Women's Center, said there are two things the program focuses on. The first is sexual violence prevention, and the second is being a respectful member of the community pertaining to diversity.

LaDue said sexual assaults on campuses have become a rising problem due to the lack of resources and prevention aids for students.

"Since 1992, (when the workshop began) the sexual assault numbers have dropped significantly due to a number of efforts on campus, including the Respect and Responsibility Workshop," LaDue said.

Since the Respect and Responsibility Workshops have been mandated, there have been some promising outlooks.

LaDue said she has heard of more students responding to the program and changing some of their every day behaviors, like choosing not to laugh at an inappropriate comment or joke.

Continued...

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