News

CHENEY, Wash. - Educate, Network, Develop (E.N.D.); Campuses working together to reduce sexual violence and support those impacted by it, is pleased to announce that Dorothy Edwards, creator of the Green Dot sexual violence prevention strategy, will deliver the opening address for the four-day Green Dot training on Jan. 4, 2012.

Green Dot is a national movement that teaches bystanders to intervene when they see an act that could lead to sexual violence, partner violence, stalking or child abuse. This exciting opportunity will allow four new programs to be implemented in the Spokane area, and will help Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University and Washington State University to strengthen their Green Dot programs.

It all started with a phone call from Pam Oswalt of Whitworth University. Would it be possible for universities in the Spokane area to work together to end sexual violence? Could we share our expertise and better support victims?

Out of that one phone call, a vision was born. "We soon realized we could accomplish more together than alone." said Karen Wanjico, violence prevention advocate at Eastern Washington University. "EWU had money from the Avon Foundation and m.powerment by mark, to send one student to be trained in the Green Dot violence prevention strategy, but if the E.N.D. group worked together, maybe we could bring the trainers to us and train far more people. Why train one person if we could get the trainers here and have 50 people trained?"

E.N.D. members took the idea back to their respective organizations. Soon pledges started coming in from Whitworth, Lutheran Community Services, Gonzaga, the Institute for Extended Learning, WSU (Spokane and Pullman) and multiple departments at Eastern. The goal was reached and the training will run Jan. 4-7, on the Riverpoint Campus (home of EWU Spokane and WSU Spokane).

For more information about E.N.D. or the "Healthy Dating" project Avon Foundation is funding, please contact Karen Wanjico at 509.359.6429.

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