Hi, I’m Colin, and I’m the new Program Coordinator here at PEACC. There’s not a very diplomatic way to say this, so I’ll just jump right into it:
I know that people have preconceived notions about who we are and what we do. And I’d like to clarify some of that.
First of all, we are not just a women’s group, as power-based personal violence on campus is not just a women’s issue. Making our community safer requires the efforts of everyone. When a small number of people commit acts that are detrimental to the safety of others, it doesn’t just impact the survivor- it sends waves through the community. Eventually, the effects are felt by everyone, whether they specifically attribute it to that act of violence or not.
Secondly, we don’t believe that all men are rapists. It’s simply not true. Nor do we believe that only men commit acts of power-based personal violence. What we do know is that a small number of people actually commit these acts, but with such frequency that their proportion in society seems larger than it truly is. But while only a small percentage commit such acts, a large percentage can help to stop them. When we come to your classes, your dorms, and events, we’re not there to preach or label. We’re there for one simple reason:
We need your help.
We know that everyone wants a safer campus. No one walks around saying, “I’d like some more violence.” But, understandably, most people don’t want to sign up for a crusade or a movement. But what if we could work towards a solution with everyone doing just a little bit, a slight extension of what you already do? It’s a thought worth considering, and a conversation worth having. At PEACC, we want to help you figure out what that contribution could be, and we will work with you to help make it happen. So please, contact our office, and let’s talk about the steps we can take to create a safer environment in our little corner of the world.
