Every semester the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work, University Housing Services and the student organization Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment aim to instill an understanding of sexual and gender violence in students through a joint social work course.
The course educates students on sexual violence, stereotypes and resources, as well as how to turn their knowledge into a workshop presentation.
UW-Madison sophomore Elena Santi, who is currently taking the course, called Social Work 672: PAVE Peer Education, said she became interested in enrolling after finding out about PAVE’s work on campus exposing students to rape culture.
“[Rape culture] really sticks out to me because it is really prevalent and really easy to notice within our own community, like with the words we use and how slight changes in how we say them can make a difference,” Santi said.
She said overall she believes campus is very female friendly, although she admits to seeing uncomfortable instances at campus parties.
Santi said she would like to see campus resources for those affected by sexual abuse or violence in relationships more prominently displayed. In the course, the workshops highlight the Rape Crisis Center, UHS counseling and Domestic Abuse Intervention Services.
According to Santi, she would also like to see multiple campus communities to come together to increase awareness and prevention, including men and the LGBT community. However, Santi emphasized the importance of women continuing to support one another.
“It’s good to have an overall understanding that we’re all in the same boat as females,” Santi said. “But I would like to see us all come together.”
