Stand for State is a University-wide bystander intervention initiative that seeks to create a campus community that helps community members to understand the role we can all play in looking out for each other. The program places a focus on sexual and relationship violence, mental health concerns, acts of bias, and risky drinking and drug use.
What is a “bystander”?
A bystander can be anyone who may be present and has some awareness of harmful or high-risk behavior taking place.
Stand for State teaches participants strategies they can use to safely intervene and/or diffuse situations that could result in harm to another person. Everyone deserves to be safe. We all can play a role in watching out for each other.
Current Stand for State Programs
- Sexual and Relationship Violence
- Bias
Take proactive steps to create and maintain a safe campus
Students
- Post about the issue
- Make a personal commitment to look out for your friends
- Request a program for your student organization
- Make checking in with each other the norm
- Choose the topic for a class paper/project
Faculty and Staff
- Assign a speech on the topic
- Learn about sexual misconduct and partner violence
- Put a statement on your syllabus about your commitment to a safe campus
- Attend a prevention event
Resources
- The Office of Sexual Misconduct, Prevention and Response
- Penn State Abington Counseling and Psychological Services
- Women Against Abuse
- 24-Hour Hotline (866)-723-3014