Green Dot Initiative: Creating a Safer Campus Together
At Columbia Basin College, we are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for every member of our community. The Green Dot initiative is a powerful, evidence-based strategy focused on preventing power-based violence, including sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and bullying, through education.
Green Dot trainings provide college students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and skills to recognize the signs of potential acts of power-based interpersonal violence and intervene in safe, effective ways. Whether you're directly involved or witnessing a situation nearby, you have the power to make a difference. Together, we can create a campus where everyone feels safe and valued.
Mini Course
Green Dot Definitions:
Red Dot: An unsafe behavior that can potentially lead to a dangerous situation.
Green Dot: Healthy behaviors that contribute to a campus culture where interpersonal violence is not tolerated.
Reactive Green Dots: A skilled response to a potentially dangerous situation. Performing a reactive Green Dot involves using the Three Ds: direct intervention, delegation, and distraction.
Direct Response: is an intervention that you do yourself. It means getting directly involved.
Delegation Response: is an indirect intervention. It means asking someone else to intervene.
Distract Response: is an indirect intervention that you do yourself that redirects attention, causes an interruption, or distracts the people involved in the situation that might lead to a Red Dot.
Proactive Green Dots: Modeling healthy behaviors that reinforce new norms that contribute to a campus culture that is intolerant of interpersonal violence like sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and bullying.
Scenario Examples
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1. Riley and Morgan are studying late at the library. As the night goes on, Riley notices that their friend Drew has been getting an increasing number of messages from Sam, someone Drew recently met. Drew looks stressed and keeps saying they’re not interested, but Sam won’t stop texting, even sending aggressive and guilt-tripping messages demanding to know why Drew is ignoring them.
Red Dot (Power-Based Violence): Sam is exhibiting controlling and harassing behavior through excessive and unwanted messaging, creating a situation of emotional pressure and manipulation, even though Drew has expressed disinterest.
Green Dot Response (Response-Direct): Riley, noticing Drew’s distress, asks, “Hey, do you want to talk about what’s going on? It seems like those messages are making you really uncomfortable.” Drew opens up about the situation, and Riley suggests, “Maybe it’s time to block their number, or we can talk to someone on campus if you’re feeling unsafe. I can go with you if you need support.”
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2. Jordan and Alex are at a party. As the night progresses, Jordan notices that Alex has had a lot to drink and is visibly uncomfortable as Casey, another person at the party, keeps getting closer to Alex and making unwanted advances. Despite Alex's attempts to move away, Casey continues to corner them, ignoring Alex's body language and discomfort.
Red Dot (Power-Based Violence): Casey is using their physical presence and the party atmosphere to assert control over Alex, disregarding Alex's clear discomfort and potential inability to consent due to intoxication.
Green Dot Response (Response-Direct): Taylor, who has been watching the situation unfold, decides to intervene. They approach Alex and say, "Hey, Alex, I need to talk to you for a second, can you come with me?" This gives Alex a way out of the situation. Taylor then engages Alex in conversation, making sure they're okay, and offers to help them leave if they feel uncomfortable.
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3. A group of students is hanging out in the common room of a dorm. Avery notices that Jamie seems uncomfortable as Lee keeps making inappropriate jokes and comments, all while leaning in too close and touching Jamie’s shoulder, despite Jamie subtly trying to pull away. Lee’s behavior is making the group feel awkward, but no one has said anything yet.
Red Dot (Power-Based Violence): Lee is ignoring Jamie’s personal boundaries, using proximity and physical touch to assert control in an uncomfortable situation, despite Jamie’s clear discomfort.
Green Dot Response (Response-Distract): Avery decides to break the tension by interrupting the moment. They call out, “Hey Jamie, could you help me with something real quick? I’m trying to figure out this assignment.” This creates a distraction, giving Jamie a reason to step away from the situation. As Jamie gets up to help, Avery subtly checks in, asking if everything’s okay and if they need further support.
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4. Taylor is at a campus party and notices that Quinn seems really uncomfortable with how Blake, a person they just met, keeps insisting they go outside alone to "talk." Quinn has been trying to politely decline, but Blake is persistent and seems to be getting frustrated. Taylor feels uneasy but isn’t sure how to intervene directly.
Red Dot (Power-Based Violence): Blake is exerting pressure on Quinn, trying to isolate them from the group despite Quinn’s clear reluctance, which could lead to an unsafe situation.
Green Dot Response (Response-Delegate): Taylor decides to find an RA (Resident Assistant) who is supervising the event and explains the situation: “Hey, I’m worried about my friend Quinn. This person, Blake, is really pushing them to leave the party, and Quinn looks uncomfortable. Could you step in and help?” The RA approaches Blake and Quinn, checking in on Quinn and making sure the situation is handled appropriately.
