Sexual Violence Prevention
One of the significant barriers we face in preventing sexual violence is an implicit bias people feel when considering their role in this subject. If directly asked, I know that most would say sexual violence is wrong. Further, most would respond that they would act to stop violence if given a chance. Research supports this. […]
The Importance of Community in Sexual Violence Prevention
Preventing sexual violence, harassment, and abuse requires more than one voice. It takes a community of engaged individuals engaged in intentional and group-specific actions. As a survivor of sexual violence and speaker, I understand individuals’ power in speaking up. Sometimes one individual or a small collective of motivated community leaders can drive forward change on […]
Managing The Red Zone
A widely discussed concept, the Red Zone refers to the first six to ten weeks of the Fall semester when an estimated 50% of campus sexual assaults occur. When considering the Red Zone this upcoming Fall 2021 semester, it is vital to recognize that unique circumstances stemming from the ongoing pandemic may profoundly impact this […]
How to Run a Virtual Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign
In March of 2020, near the beginning of COVID-19, an interesting dilemma emerged in the world of sexual violence prevention. As a collective society, we processed the initial pandemic. Daily and normal activities shut down. As a sexual assault prevention speaker and survivor though, one unique consideration regarding the pandemic involved how to carry on […]
Primary Prevention Tips in Times of COVID-19
By: Tim Mousseau When COVID-19 hit near the start of April, right at the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I found most of my conversations with campus partners centered around the resounding question, “What now?” For many of us, there seemed to be this hope that the fall would offer a return to past […]
Why I Didn’t Fight Back: A Survivor’s Perspective
By: Brittany Piper “Why can’t you remember? Your story doesn’t make sense. Why didn’t you fight back? Weren’t you drinking? What did you expect?” They’re words I never imagined hearing after being sexually assaulted. Police officers, family, and community members hinted the same: it was my fault. Perhaps you’ve asked others, maybe even yourself, these […]
Three Non-Sexual Ways You Can Practice Communicating Consent
By: Dr. Lori Bednarchik Usually when I’m talking to students about consent, it is in the context of sexual activity. Over the past decade I’ve witnessed a lot of changes in the way that (and the frequency in which) sexual consent is discussed. The biggest and most influential being the shift from a “no means […]
After the Assault: The #MeFIRST Approach
By: Brittany Piper In 2009, at the age of 20, I was raped and beaten—nearly left for dead, by a stranger who helped me change my flat tire. Thanks to: an amazing roommate who (despite my hesitation) put me in her car and took me to the hospital, a sex crimes detective and attorney who […]
What Do I Do/Say If Someone Tells Me That They Have Been Sexually Assaulted
By: Dr. Lori Bednarchik Note from the Author: This article was originally written for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Below are 7 things that you can do to support someone who tells you that they have been assaulted, raped, or abused. This by no means is an all-inclusive resource and additional resources can be found […]
How Can Men Be Better Allies? Owning All Facets of their Ally-ship
By: Tim Mousseau For the last almost 6 years, I have spoken on topics of sexual violence and masculinity from the perspective of a male survivor. Across this time, I have noticed an unsettling trend appearing in how we as men, especially those who claim ourselves to be progressives and allies, are showing up in […]
Few Talk, Many Affected
By: Kevin Snyder, Ed.D. Disclaimer: Please be advised this article outlines details from the evening of a sexual assault. This is My story of sexual assault and why I waited so long to reveal it. I am a 42-year old man, and I was sexually assaulted by another man in the fall of 1999. This […]
How can survivors of sexual assault cope during this retraumatizing and triggering news cycle?
By: Brittany Piper The saturated news coverage of the allegations against Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh can cause old wounds, flashbacks, negative emotions, and physical pain to resurface for survivors or sexual assault. As a survivor and holistic healing coach for survivors of trauma, I know this all-too-well. But for those who might not understand, […]
The Falsehoods of False Reporting
The Falsehoods of False Reporting By: Tim Mousseau For a human element, I think it is important to note I wrote this before the recent Ford and Kavanaugh testimonies. In light of these, I feel this message still stands. I feel it is important now more than ever to discuss the concept of false reporting. […]
Getting Men to the Table
By: Tim Mousseau I recently attended a day-long conference put on concerning general sex education and the positive sides of sex. It is important to note about 95% of the attendees of the event were female passing. During one of the panels on consent and trusting men during the #MeToo era, a question came up […]
After the Assault: Self-Care for Recovery
By: Brittany Piper I still remember that concrete jail cell, the coldness of the ground, the bareness of the walls. I remember thinking—this isn’t supposed to be a part of my story. How did I end up here? In 2009, at the age of 20, I was brutally raped and beaten by a stranger who […]
Our Communities Deserve More than No Means No
By: Tim Mousseau “No Means No.” “Don’t Rape.” “Real Men Don’t Rape.” For the last few decades, these slogans have stood at the forefront of education concerning sexual violence prevention. Plastered across fliers, hung up around campuses, written on signs, and blasted across the slides of presenters from high school to college programs on sexual […]
Following #MeToo, a #MeFIRST Framework for 2018
In 2009, at the age of 20, I was raped and beaten—nearly left for dead, by a stranger who helped me change my flat tire. Thanks to: an amazing roommate who (despite my hesitation) put me in her car and took me to the hospital, a sex crimes detective and attorney who were determined to […]
Overcoming Tragedy: 4 Steps for Healing
By: Brittany Piper, CAMPUSPEAK Speaker October 2, 2017. Las Vegas. Life is bleak sometimes. More often, lately. For many of us, these near monthly tragedies open old wounds of violence, terror, and loss. The harsh truth is we’re all recovering and healing from something. Whether directly affected by a tragedy, or reeling from its powerful […]
Let’s Talk About Sex
I still remember the day my mom decided to give me “the talk.” During the prime of my 6th grade years, my school had decided to tell us all about the bird and the bees already and unbeknownst to me when my mom asked me to walk the dog; she was aware of their education […]
The need for conversations on masculinity.
For me, masculinity has always been an interesting concept. I grew up in a military family surrounded by what some might consider ideologies of “traditional” masculinity. My father was stoic and expected achievement. Our lives were heavily ordered, and he served as the primary breadwinner, while my mother was a source of emotional support and […]
Showing Up With Purpose & Embracing Vulnerability in 2017
We have all been affected by trauma: violence, disease, injustice, poverty. I believe that these certain events in our lives (both in personal and societal spheres) resonate with us and inspire us to change the world for the better. Some of us just lack the courage and insight to step out into our […]
2017: Your Year of Practicing Badassery
Every year in January we are bombarded with the #NewYearNewYou, that consists of promises to lose some pounds by giving up all of our favorite foods and doing some kind of fitness challenge, only to quit it all in a matter of weeks. Well, this year I am challenging you to something greater, […]
Do This, Not That:
How to Change Thoughts on
Sexual Assault Prevention Education
For a while, there were popular books phrased along the lines of “Eat This, Not That.” Although this oversimplifies their concepts and these books have arguably not aged well, the general concept of “This, Not That” is an easy one to consider when grasping some complex issues. In life there are things we can do […]
Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign
The key to all effective awareness and prevention campaigns is the spread of relevant information. Through his experience speaking across the country on sexual assault, Tim Mousseau has been asked countless times what type of information campuses should be sharing and how they can best reach their various student populations. Tim wrote the following infographic […]
SPEAK UP Updates
WE HEARD YOU! Over the past 10 months, we have heard countless Higher Education professionals and Title IX Coordinators insist that current sexual violence prevention programs are falling short. CAMPUSPEAK listened and are now excited to announce the launch of a completely revamped version of SPEAK UP! New program options to expect: Ability to […]
Let’s Talk About Sex
As a survivor of sexual assault, it has been important for me to use my unique voice when attempting to influence the prevalence of sexual assault. I always make sure to come at my conversation with students and professionals alike from a human perspective, candidly and honestly. From my work on campuses, one of the […]
SPEAK UP against sexual misconduct
I am humbled and grateful to serve as a contributor for CAMPUSPEAK’s sexual misconduct prevention effort, SPEAK UP. Participating in this program allowed me to share my experiences with students with the hopes of helping them to make good decisions in college. While serving as a director of student conduct and conflict resolution, I heard […]
Hear. Me. Roar!
At age 20-something, I was assaulted on the street one night outside of my New York City apartment. Thankfully, I was able to scare him off before he got a strong hold on me. The scarier part came in the days to follow when I asked myself all of the “what if” questions that could […]
It’s time to speak up
When CAMPUSPEAK approached me to be a part of the SPEAK UP program on sexual assault, I knew I had to say yes. I have been passionate about sexual assault awareness ever since I wrote the first draft of my memoir, Controlled, when I was a freshman in college. My book is about a sexual […]
CAMPUSPEAK announces launch of online sexual violence prevention program
AURORA, CO – CAMPUSPEAK announced today the launch of its new online sexual violence prevention education program, SPEAK UP, which promotes participant learning through real stories, told by real people, to create real impact on college campuses. “Facts and role-playing activities are not the effective method to connect with this audience,” said David Stollman, CAMPUSPEAK’s president. […]
Retaking our story
I believe in the power of personal stories. Facts do not create change, but stories do. It is a proven truth that information alone cannot create change, but it is something that we often forget when we touch on some of the most difficult topics faced by our peers, students, organizations and communities. Whenever I […]
Retaking our story
Facts do not create change, but stories do. Information alone cannot create change, but is something we often forget when we touch on some of the most difficult topics faced by our peers, students, organizations and communities. Whenever I get asked why I speak on sexual violence prevention, why I feel comfort when opening up […]