“Live It.” This is the motto used by Green Dot, a campaign set up to end violence of all kinds around America. This past Saturday students at North Central took part in a seven-hour training session. Led by Carin Silkaitis and Doug Fink, students were put into groups that spent the day together learning what Green Dot meant to them.
The day began with Silkaitis giving background on what Green Dot is and what they hope to accomplish. The teams then participated in different events. Teams conversed around topics including, violence, sexual assault, and different situations where green dot tactics would be valuable. Groups performed skits where they demonstrated situations that were dangerous and once again practiced skills that will help save others and possibly themselves from sexual assault.
“I gained more information of sexual assault going on in our country and on campuses,” reflected first-year Caitlin O’Brien about the training. “We’re all in the dating game and it’s very important that we look after each other.”
This is exactly what Green Dot attempts to do, providing students and staff with the tools they need to not only spot sexual harassment but also stop it in its tracks. There are two different ways of intervening, the first is called “proactive green dot,” used when you see a situation with the potential to escalate into something dangerous and bring it to a halt before it can continue to get worse.
The second type of action is “reactive green dot.” You use this form when a situation has already become bad and you put yourself in a position to counteract the present situation.
If you missed the Green Dot training and would like to participate, there will be plenty more training sessions in thev future. There are quite a few people who have a “Live It” green dot sticker on their laptop or who are repping their t-shirt. These people are more than happy to help you get involved or even just have a conversation about the topic.
Green Dot’s website is livethegreendot.com.
