St. Augustine, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2017) Nearly 30 students attending Flagler College attended and received certification as the first wave participants in the Green Dot Program – developed to prevent sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and bullying behavior on campus and in the community.
According to Green Dot Coordinator Sandi Cipolloni, a two-day ‘tabling event’ held on campus earlier this month, was “very successful in creating awareness of the Green Dot Strategy” at the college.
“The students received certification in our Green Dot Bystander Training, which helps them learn how to handle any violence, stalking or bullying behavior if they should ever observe it,” Cipolloni said. “In addition, about 40 students signed up to receive more information on the program, so this represents a good first start
in promoting the program.”
Two Bystander Training Classes were held on campus in January.
Green Dot is a collaboration with Flagler College and Betty Griffin Center aimed at involving students, faculty and administrators in developing a campus culture where violence of any type is not tolerated.
“So often when we think about sexual assault on campus, the emphasis is on our students,” she said. “While students have an important role to play, the reality is that everyone on campus plays a vital role in establishing what is important and reinforces campus and community norms.”
Cipolloni says outreach to students will continue on campus throughout the year with new opportunities to involve Flagler College Staff. Green Dot Training for faculty, staff and administrators can range from a 15-minute talk in a departmental meeting, a 45-minute overview class over lunch or a three-hour in-depth skill
training session.
For more information, contact Tim Mellon, Flagler College Student Services, at tmellon@flagler.edu, or Sandi Cipolloni, Green Dot Coordinator, at sandicbgh@gmail.com.
About Betty Griffin Center
The Betty Griffin Center was founded in 1990 by concerned citizens and incorporated as the Safety Shelter of St. Johns County to develop plans to provide shelter for local victims of domestic violence and their children. In 1992, the nonprofit agency contracted with a local motel for space and started a 24-hour crisis line and court advocacy program. By 1994, the agency purchased and opened Betty Griffin House as a permanent shelter. The shelter was expanded in 1998 to meet local demand, and a sexual assault program was added the same year. The Sexual Assault Victim Recovery Program is currently recruiting on call volunteers to provide victim advocacy. For information contact Kelly at 904-808-8544.
Today, Betty Griffin Center shelters 250 to 350 victims of domestic and sexual abuse annually, operates a 24-hour helpline, provides professional counseling for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, provides age appropriate violence prevention training and operates two thrift stores at Julington Square and Anastasia Square to assist in funding the agency’s ongoing operations
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.bettygriffincenter.org. To report if you or someone you know is being abused, call the Betty Griffin Center 24-hour crisis helpline at (904) 824-1555.
-###-
Media Contact:
Ron Whittington
(904) 563-0402
ron@whittingtonpr.com