hosted the National Night Out activities on August 2, 2011.  National Night out is a campaign designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in anti-crime activities, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.  Many thanks to the individuals who came out and donated to our UnderAware campaign. 

For many students, they are transitioning into a new environment, and unsure of what lies ahead. It is during this critical transitional time period that many of our students find themselves in situations for which they have not gained the necessary life skills or self confidence in order to appropriately address these significant situations.

Bullying in school has received more attention in the last few years as research has indicated that being the victim of a bully can have significant lifelong consequences for students. In college, the pressure to participate in underage drinking can result in lifelong consequence. Not all students want to consume alcohol, but peer pressure and the sense of wanting to fit in and belong in a new environment can lead to a wide variety of unintended consequences.

Higher education institutions are becoming more proactive in student education around the issues of drinking, responsible sexual conduct, abusive relationships, and academic integrity. Education components also focus on student responsibilities as a bystander, providing them with the social tools to intervene in high risk situations. These techniques range from simple distraction to direct intervention that may also involve contacting law enforcement.

next six years Lauren endured daily sexual and physical abuse. "I was a people pleaser," she says. "I was beaten every day...Waldy was very smart, like all predators are. She hit me and bruised me where my parents wouldn't look. When you are 13 and 14 parents never look at their children's stomachs or lower backs or butts or upper thighs."