Imagine a map of your community. Imagine that the map is covered in red dots, each one representing an act of power-based personal violence (sexual violence, child abuse, partner/dating violence, stalking, bullying). A red dot is any word, choice, attitude or behavior that either contributes to violence, or allows it to happen. A red dot is a sexual assault. A red dot is a threat. A red dot is a word that justifies or minimizes the violence. A red dot is the choice to turn away from a high-risk situation, to say “this is not my problem”.
The Sexual Violence Center has adopted Green Dot as a prevention strategy. Green Dot approaches all individuals as bystanders to violence, and asserts that as bystanders, we have only two choices: do something, or do nothing.
So, what’s the solution?
The solution needs to be a reflection of the problem: from red dots, to green dots! A green dot is any word, choice, attitude or behavior that expresses an intolerance of violence, and actively contributes to building a safer community.
A green dot is pulling someone out of a high-risk situation.
A green dot is checking in with a friend about their relationship.
A green dot is hanging an awareness poster, wearing a green dot button, or supporting your local rape crisis center.
A green dot is having a conversation about power-based personal violence, or bringing a prevention training to your community.
A green dot is the simple choice to do something to make it less likely that a red dot will happen.
Over time, the green dots on the map replace the red dots. With everyone doing their part, the red dots are outnumbered – one green dot at a time!
Get Green Dot!
To learn more about Green Dot, contact Shereen Reda, Prevention Program Coordinator at sreda@sexualviolencecenter.org, or visit www.livethegreendot.com.
“No one has to do everything, but everyone has to do something”
