Nonviolence
Goes to College
The K-State
SafeZone Program
SafeZone History
Originally developed in the 1980’s to
serve needs of students being harassed
because of sexual orientation. It
served the students to know a Safe
Place, a person with whom they could
speak and be heard.
At KSU the program slowed in the late
90’s; occasionally you’d see a placard
on a door. The original Logo:
Original SafeZone
Logo
SafeZone History
Revitalized in 2002 through the
Campaign for Nonviolence, QSA,
and the President’s Commission
on the Status of Women
Changes were made to update
the program and include more
populations
Changes
Expanded populations served: Issues
related to
Gay, lesbian,bisexual &,
transgendered students
Sexual assault victims
Hateful acts (hate crimes, bullying,
bias, harassment)
Hate crimes versus hateful
acts
Current logo
Special Topics were added:
Issues related to
International Students
Dealing with Depression
Suicidal Students
Nonviolent Communications
Skills Training
poster
communication
SafeZone Training
Everyone takes an “Introductory
Training” where they meet folks who
train in areas of GLBT issues, sexual
violence issues, and hateful acts issues.
Emphasis is on listening skills, referral,
crisis intervention.
Next, these SafeZone “Allies”, are
expected to take Advanced Trainings
each semester on specific topics, and
other offerings as they wish.
SafeZone Allies
Help create an atmosphere, an expectation
on the campus of openness and
communication.
The presence of SafeZone symbols on doors
throughout campus adds to the idea that
threatening behavior is not OK.
We hope that while crime stats may rise
through an increase in reporting, that
SafeZone will act as a deterrent against
violence as well.
Current SafeZone Allies
122 students
171 staff and faculty
222 on campus
71 off campus
Webpage:
http://www.kstate.edu/womenscenter/Safe
Zone.htm
Two samples :
An informational flier given to faculty
and
a 3X5 “Get in the SafeZone” Card
laminated for allies.
Getting in the (Safe) Zone
1) Listen/Believe - As listeners, our role is to make ourselves available, to let the person
know it is safe to talk with us. Don’t prod, push, or judge; just listen and affirm the
expressed feelings. Speak in private, without rushing. Stay calm and believe. It is not our job
to investigate or discover the truth.
3) Communicate/Give hope by assuring the person that things can get better; that there
are resources and options available to them.
4) Maintain- Keeping clear and consistent boundaries and expectations are healthy for you
and the student. Resist any tendencies to “take over” for the student unless it is clear that
they are in danger or cannot get help themselves; in this case consult and refer.
5) Refer to other resources * when the problem is more serious than you feel comfortable
handling; * if you are very stressed, busy, or preoccupied; * if you have helped as much as
you can; * when personal feelings interfere with your objectivity; * if the person wants
information or help that you cannot give.
Normalize the process of getting help: “Successful people seek support.”
It is natural to have fears and concerns about sharing one’s difficulties.
It is the competent, courageous aspect of an individual that seeks assistance.
www.ksu.edu/nonviolence
SAFE ZONE allies ask themselves:
Is this person safe?
KSU Police: 532-6412; Riley County Police: 537-2112
Emergency Shelter: The Crisis Center 1-800-727-2785; Manhattan: 539-2785
Does this person need medical attention?
Lafene Health Center: 532-6544; Women’s Clinic, 532-6554
Mercy Hospital Emergency Room, 1823 College Ave., 776-3322
Does this person know where to find counseling, support, or a personal advocate?
KSU Counseling Services, 532-6927, www.ksu.edu/counseling
K-State Women’s Center, 206 Holton Hall, 532-6444
KSU Student Attorney: 532-6541
If a student, who can help with academic issues?
Office of Student Life, 532-6432
Click on a building to view the SafeZone allies
Some peers
Darcy at 412
The 412 Event
Wildcats Against Rape
Date with hate 2006
A parent’s view
Violence and nonviolence
Strange madness
A Season for Nonviolence
Open Mind, Open Heart, Open House for SafeZone Allies &
Friends
January 30 – Monday 3:30 – 5pm, Flint Hills Room of the K-State Union
Teach for America Information Session
January 30 – Monday 7:00 pm, Sunflower Room of the K-State Union
Brother Outsider – Film
Sponsored by Flint Hills Human Rights Project
February 2 – Thursday 7pm, Room 209 K-State Union
M A P J P o t l u c k February 6 – Monday 6:30pm, UU Fellowship – 481 Zeandale Rd.
Nonviolent Communication Workshop – Intimate
Relationships
February 7 – Tuesday 7pm, Big 12 Room K-State Union
Benefit Concert:: Auntie Mae’s Parlor February 16, Thursday 9pm sponsored by
ACTION
Gandhian Legacy & Grassroots Development
February 22 – Wednesday 3:30pm, Room 203 K-State Union
Dangerous Living – Film Sponsored by Flint Hills Human Rights Project
February 23 – Thursday 7pm, Room 213 K-State Union
Color of Fear – Film
March 2 – Thursday 7pm, Room 213 K-State Union
MAPJ Potluck March 6 – Monday 6:30pm, UU Fellowship – 481 Zeandale Rd.
Vipassana Meditation
March 6 – Monday 7pm, Manhattan Public Library
Iron Jawed Angels – Film
Sponsored by Ordinary Women
March 7 - Tuesday 7pm, Big 12 Room, K-State Union
Walk / Cam p on the T al lg r as s Pr airi e : March 11-12 – Saturday/Sunday
Margy’s Bird Runners Wildlife Preserve. Sponsored by Students for Environmental Action & The
Audubon Society
Earth Day – N o r t h e a s t P r a i r i e W a l k The Audubon Society March 20 – Monday
An example of SafeZone
training Films: increasing
empathy and awareness.
FEAR:
Martha’s Story
Bring Some
Nonviolence
Back
Transform
Your
Campus
To read in more detail about the ideas presented in the
"Nonviolence Goes to College" session, see:
www.ksu.edu/womenscenter/
"Reframing the Debate: Crisis Center to Campaign for Nonviolence,"
Susan L. Allen in Turning Ideas Into Action, forthcoming.
"Activist Media Anthropology - Antidote to Extremist Worldviews,"
Susan L. Allen, in Media Anthropology, Rothenbuhler and Coman,
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2005.
"Organic Balance as a Conceptual Framework for Social Change
Movements," Susan L. Allen, Community and the World: Participating
in Social Change, T.D. Dickinson, Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science,
2003.
"Activist Anthropology in a Women’s Center," Voices, 5(1), 11-15,
December 2001. (Retrieved December 27, 2004, from
http://sscl.berkeley.edu/ %7Eafaweb/Voices.pdf )