'Active bystanders' combats violence
Lecture teaches students warning signs, prevention strategies
Jessica Schreindl
Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: Life
Vice President of Student Services Eric Murray told of an event involving two male students that occurred last semester at NIC. According to Murray, the young men, who had been friends since elementary school, were fighting when one of them pulled out a knife and held it to the other's throat. One of the men's pregnant girlfriend stepped in and broke them up. This is a great example of an active bystander, according to Murray.
Active bystanders, if possible, should not put themselves in a place of danger. According to Calhoun, getting physical often escalates the situation.
Calhoun asked the class what they would do if they came across someone writing "fags die" on the door of a gay dorm resident. While most said they would get the dorm director, some admitted that it would be hard to avoid confrontation. When asked what they would do if the gay dorm resident was a friend or loved one, the responses changed.
"If you saw something like that happening it would be hard not to get involved," said NIC R.A. Derek Caperton. "For me it's a job thing, a moral thing and even a religious thing."
Suicide is also becoming an increasing problem in college campuses, according to Bonita Bontrager, senior at the University of Montana-Western. Bontarger's mother attempted suicide when she was a child.
"At the time I felt kind of responsible for what happened, like I should have been babysitting her," Bontarger said.
One in 10 students say they've been called derogatory names on campus, according to Bontarger. Gay and lesbian students are two to three times more likely then their peers to attempt suicide.
If someone you know is contemplating suicide, the most important thing you can do is to be there for them, according to Calhoun. You can even ask him or her at point blank if he ore she is thinking of contemplating suicide. The answer to this question is critical, said Calhoun.
"Prepare yourself for their response," he said. "You're the vehicle for getting them to be healthier. As an active bystander you take a role in getting them to that next step."
Across the nation, violence on college campuses is increasing. Twenty-three to 25 percent of women will be raped at school in the next year, according to Bontrager.
"Somehow or another, we are all affected by what happened at Virginia Tech," she said. "Tonight, we're taking a stand against what happened."
Active bystanders, if possible, should not put themselves in a place of danger. According to Calhoun, getting physical often escalates the situation.
Calhoun asked the class what they would do if they came across someone writing "fags die" on the door of a gay dorm resident. While most said they would get the dorm director, some admitted that it would be hard to avoid confrontation. When asked what they would do if the gay dorm resident was a friend or loved one, the responses changed.
"If you saw something like that happening it would be hard not to get involved," said NIC R.A. Derek Caperton. "For me it's a job thing, a moral thing and even a religious thing."
Suicide is also becoming an increasing problem in college campuses, according to Bonita Bontrager, senior at the University of Montana-Western. Bontarger's mother attempted suicide when she was a child.
"At the time I felt kind of responsible for what happened, like I should have been babysitting her," Bontarger said.
One in 10 students say they've been called derogatory names on campus, according to Bontarger. Gay and lesbian students are two to three times more likely then their peers to attempt suicide.
If someone you know is contemplating suicide, the most important thing you can do is to be there for them, according to Calhoun. You can even ask him or her at point blank if he ore she is thinking of contemplating suicide. The answer to this question is critical, said Calhoun.
"Prepare yourself for their response," he said. "You're the vehicle for getting them to be healthier. As an active bystander you take a role in getting them to that next step."
Across the nation, violence on college campuses is increasing. Twenty-three to 25 percent of women will be raped at school in the next year, according to Bontrager.
"Somehow or another, we are all affected by what happened at Virginia Tech," she said. "Tonight, we're taking a stand against what happened."
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