ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – In 2016, University of Central Florida was the state’s leader for training in the bystander intervention program, Green Dot, that teaches faculty, staff and students how small actions can have big results.
The program has already shown a major impact since it was introduced in September with more than 4,500 students and faculty and staff members exposed to Green Dot.
The purpose of the program is to help reduce power-based personal violence, which includes stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence.
Green Dot strategy coordinator Sam Vega says the program helps to make “doing the right thing” more accessible.
Green Dot training includes the knowledge of the “three Ds” -- direct, delegate and distract. Direct meaning to directly confront the situation and stop it. Delegate would be calling University of Central Florida Police Department or someone to assist such as a bouncer or bartender. Distract is to distract the person or persons from the situation.
Nearly 300 colleges and universities across the country have implemented the program, with six being in Florida. For the 2016-2017 school year, UCF is at the top of the list with more than 25 students, faculty and staff members fully trained in the program.
Campus areas such as Fraternity and Sorority Life are among those welcoming the program. Four Greek organizations are now requiring every member to be trained.
A new Green Dot office will be officially open to the public Thursday, March 23, following the ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m. The new office will be in the John T. Washington Center Breezeway across from the bookstore, and hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
To learn more about Green Dot, go to click here.