COUNSELING CENTER

Peer Education Programs

Sexual Assault Peer Education

One in four college women have experienced an attempted or completed rape. The Sexual Assault Peer Education Program is specifically designed to help students become educators for the Towson community about sexual assault and to assist in improving the awareness and safety of our students.

What type of training do students in the Sexual Assault Peer Education Program receive?

• Learn about sexual assault, consent and other definitions related to sexual violence
• Become educated about the scope of sexual assault on college campuses and identify factors that might precipitate sexual violence

• Identify the possible gender-based differences in expectations in dating or social situations

• The truth regarding myths about sexual assault
• Tips for prevention and intervening in dangerous situations
• What men can do to prevent sexual assault
• The role of alcohol and other drugs
• Common feelings following a sexual assault
• How to respond to a friend who has been sexually assaulted
• Referrals and resources for survivors
• Presentation skills

 

Peer educators are trained in several different interactive programs and also create new programs based on the needs of the campus. The development of new programs draws from research as well as the peer educators’ own ideas.

What activities are Sexual Assault peer educators engaged in?

• Peer educators are invited into classrooms and student group meetings to deliver presentations on sexual assault and related issues such as Consent, Bystander Intervention, and Healthy Relationships.

• • They may also be involved in assisting staff members in delivering programs to the larger Towson community.

• • They also organize and assist with campus events such as TigerSex Trivia, Continuum of Consent, Walk-a-Mile-in-her-Shoes and the sexual assault street team.

 

Other aspects of being a peer educator include:

• Building your resume
• Developing public speaking and presentation skills
• Meeting other students and forming new friendships
• Improving yourself and the TU community
• Obtaining national peer educator certification and possibility of attending regional and national conferences

 

If you are interested in helping others understand issues related to sexual assault, consent, bystander intervention, healthy relationships and more, apply to become a peer educator! The Counseling Center is recruiting for new peer educators. Ideal candidates are freshmen and sophomores (or those with at least two years left at TU) who are 1) motivated and energetic, 2) strong public speakers, and 3) want to help others and improve our community. Students must be available for training during Friday afternoons in November and February.