About SAFER

The Sexual Assault Free Environment Resource (SAFER) Program is Cal Poly's sexual assault resource and prevention program. Though our prevention education curriculum we work to make the campus community a safer place for all its members, raising awareness, providing resources, and fighting to end sexual violence.

SAFER is a joint program between Student Life & Leadership and the SARP Center.

SAFER Acronym

SAFER stands for Sexual Assault-Free Environment Resource program and is part of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo's Student Life & Leadership Program. Partnered with the Women's Center and University Police, SAFER is concerned with sexual assault response and prevention.

SAFER Logo and Slogan

SAFER'S logo is a red handprint and slogan is ReMEmber.

Over a decade ago, Cal Poly student activists sought to increase awareness regarding the incidence of sexual assault at Cal Poly. To do this, they placed red handprints at the site of sexual assaults reported on campus. They also instituted the annual Remember Week to remember three local students that were sexually assaulted and killed (Kristin Smart, Rachel Newhouse, and Aundria Crawford) and to promote sexual assault awareness and empowerment.

We want Cal Poly students and staff to remember those that have been sexually assaulted, remember where to attain help for sexual assault survivors, and remember how to reduce the risk of sexual assault.

SAFER's Mission & Goals

SAFER's mission is to promote a caring, empowered campus community where people:

• Understand what constitutes sexual assault;
• Understand the harmful effects of sexual assault;
• Are motivated to intervene to prevent sexual assault;
• Know how to reduce the risk of sexual assault;
• Know who to call and what to do should they or someone else experience sexual assault and;
• Agree that all sexual activities should be consensual, and based on respect and equality.

SAFER's goals are to:

• Provide support to those who have survived a sexual assault. Click on this red handprint if you or someone else may have experienced a sexual assault.
• Accomplish its mission through presentations to any clubs, classes, and groups requesting them. SAFER staff works with requestors to tailor presentations for maximum relevance. Click on this red handprint for information about SAFER presentations.
• Increase awareness through the Run To Remember, an annual campus run/walk. Click on this red handprint for more information.
• Increase awareness through Remember Week, a week of awareness and educational events focused on ending violence against women. It includes our annual Take Back the Night celebration and rally. Click on this red handprint for more information.
• Provide leadership and internship opportunities for Cal Poly students. Click on this red handprint for these and other SAFER career-building opportunities.
• Be an on-campus information source for those with questions about sexual assault. Click on this red handprint for answers to commonly asked questions.

SAFER Men

Cal Poly's SAFER program sees men as partners in solving the problem of sexual assault. Violence against women is not just a women's issue, but a men's issue as well.

The SAFER Men program is comprised of Cal Poly men who actively work to prevent sexual assault at Cal Poly. Those on the SAFER Men team give presentations to campus groups, such as athletes and fraternities, and participate in various informational campaigns and events.

SAFER Men acknowledges that men have a special role in sexual assault prevention. Men can intervene in situations where other men are at-risk for sexual assault. Men can create cultures where sex is always consensual and non-violent.

SAFER Men believes that most men are willing to be part of the solution to ending sexual assault but need information about how to do this.

Men join SAFER Men for a variety of reasons. Many get involved with the team because a friend, family member, or girlfriend was sexually assaulted. Some get involved because they resent that the actions of a few men may lead some women to distrust all men and contribute to negative stereotypes of males.

For 2006-2007, the SAFER Men coordinator is David Kirk. For more information about joining SAFER Men, contact Bryce at cpsafermen@gmail.com.

SAFER Calendar

SAFER Volunteer Peer Presenter Training Calendar
     Fall quarter: October 2-30 weekly training
     Winter quarter: Jan 21-Feb 18 weekly training

The Run To Remember
     October 24th7pm on the Health Center Lawn

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: April
     Take Back the Night - date to be announced
     SAFE Organizations Training - date to be announced

SAFER History

Over a decade ago, a group of Cal Poly students sought to increase awareness regarding the incidence of sexual assault at Cal Poly. To do this, they placed red handprints at the site of sexual assaults reported on campus. They also instituted the annual ReMEmber Week to remember three local students that were sexually assaulted and killed (Kristin Smart, Rachel Newhouse, and Aundria Crawford) and to promote sexual assault awareness and empowerment.

SAFER Staff

Devon Hodgson
Program Director
dhodgson@calpoly.edu

Mariana Lightman
Coordinator of SAFER Programming
saferprograms@gmail.com

This position is made possible through a partnership with AmeriCorps and the SARP Center
Mariana is a graduate of Cal Poly with concentrations in English and Psychology. She is a certified rape crisis counselor at the Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Center of San Luis Obispo County and hopes to eventually get her doctorate in Psychology and become a therapist specializing in domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Alicia Voorhees
Associate Coordinator, SAFER
cpsafer@gmail.com

Bryce Wallington
Associate Coordinator, SAFER Men
cpsafermen@gmail.com