The UMBC Relationship Violence Prevention Advocates program is a comprehensive program funded by a grant from Verizon. The program changes each year and is designed to educate the UMBC Community on specific relationship violence prevention information.
The goals of the program are:
- To systematically raise awareness and support for a campus to be without relationship violence
- Create an environment that encourages healthy relationships
- Encourage victims and survivors of relationship violence to come forward and receive support
General Description:
UMBC Relationship Violence Prevention Advocates are UMBC community members who:
a) are able to provide relationship/dating/intimate partner violence prevention information to their community networks,
b) observe the UMBC community and take notice of and report community issues related to relationship violence to advocate trainers,
c) encourage bystander intervention techniques within UMBC community network,
d) make appropriate referrals,
e) provide helpful resource information to their UMBC community network and individuals,
f) support violence prevention efforts on campus, and
g) volunteer to staff events (tabling, etc).
Participation Requirements:
- Must attend the following Friday meetings from 12pm-1pm- February 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, March 2nd, 16th, 30th, April 13th, 27th and May 11th (end of semester celebration lunch)
- Must share educational information with your network of friends, colleagues, student organizations, team members, and at campus events
- Must utilize skills to make referrals, provide resources, intervene safely when necessary using bystander intervention skills.
Meeting topics for advocates could include: gender and violence, characteristics of unhealthy relationships, domestic violence and abuse, healthy relationship skills, bystander intervention, on and off campus resources, helping and referral skills, men’s role in preventing violence, presentation skills, making a difference, culture and violence, etc.
Testimonials from current and former advocates!
”My favorite part of this group has been about intimacy and trust. You can ask silly questions without judgement”
“I learned a lot about the philosophical aspects of consent and how rape culture can make that confusing and difficult
to talk about”
“I have learned that being an advocate is more than just handing someone a referral. It involves opening yourself
up and really listening to the other person”
“I decided to get Green Dot Trained “
Download your application below or contact Jacki Stone,Community Health and Safety Specialist for more details.