April 2012 has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. The California Coalition Against Sexual Assault is encouraging the use of media opportunities not only to highlight events but also to make sexual assault a priority issue for the media and funders, policymakers, and the general public. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center is focusing on promoting healthy sexuality to prevent sexual violence with its "It's Time...to Talk about It!" campaign.

More information about This Week! Features can be viewed at the Center's Web site.

Prevention Update: Bullying and Cyberbullying at Colleges and Universities Now Posted

Bullying can be verbal (name-calling, teasing), social (spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships), physical (hitting, punching, shoving), and cyberbullying (using the Internet, mobile telephones, or other digital technologies to harm others).

At a White House Summit on Bullying in March 2011, Eduardo Ochoa, assistant secretary for postsecondary education in the U.S. Department of Education, said, "The issue of bullying is different in higher education than K-12. Once students reach the age of 18, new protections regarding bullying behaviors are afforded to them by law. But in college, most of the behaviors are not typically labeled as bullying."

At the same meeting, Charlie Rose, the Department of Education's general counsel, pointed out that the consequences for bullies are often harsher in college than for younger students, who are less likely to face legal repercussions. "Both the perpetrators and the victims are adults, so the legal framework is very, very different," he said.

To view online or download Bullying and Cyberbullying at Colleges and Universities, please visit the Prevention Updates page on the Center's Web site.

Recording and Resources Now Posted for "Using New Student Orientation to Prevent Violence Against Women on College Campuses" Webinar

The Center has posted the following materials from the March 8, 2012, Webinar:

• PowerPoint Slides
• Recording
• Text-Only Closed Captioning Transcript
• Chat Participant Responses
• Resource List
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges Resources
• University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Materials

To access these materials, please visit the Center's Web site.

Research demonstrates that a comprehensive, environmental approach increases success in reducing alcohol-related problems on campus and in the surrounding community. During this two-day Training Institute, participants will build upon existing skills to learn how to implement evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce the problems related to off-campus parties. The Training Institute is offered free of charge. Participants pay their own travel, lodging, and food.

Dates: April 17-18, 2012

Location: Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, Portland, Oregon. A special $113/night rate (single or double occupancy) is available.

Extended Deadline: March 21, 2012

To register, please visit the Center's Web site; for more information, please contact Tracy Downs.