St. Bonaventure University students are being sought to serve on a new peer education group that aims to reduce sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking.

Any student interested in participating should click here.

Interested students would return a few days early at the end of the summer to participate in intensive training, preparing to begin their educational efforts during Welcome Days with first-year students. 

Over the past several months, St. Bonaventure’s Coordinated Community Response Team has been meeting to develop a two-year strategic plan to address these serious issues. The CCRT formed when the university was awarded a $300,000 grant over the course of three years.

The CCRT includes students, faculty, staff, and community partners from Cattaraugus Community Action, New York State Police, Cattaraugus Sherriff’s Department, and Southern Tier Health Systems.

Campuses receiving the award must work to achieve three overarching goals:

• broad campus and community engagement;
• reduction of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking;
• effective intervention.

Dr. Jennifer Karash-Eastman, visiting assistant professor of Spanish, has been named program coordinator for the grant. She will chair the CCRT, oversee grant activity, and ensure compliance with all grant requirements.

The CCRT has submitted the university’s strategic plan to the Department of Justice for review. The plan includes several action steps to achieve the three goals, including training for students, faculty and staff; improved victim response; and prevention programming.

The student group would work with Karash-Eastman and Cattaraugus County Victim Services to develop and implement peer-led programs for students focusing on violence prevention, bystander intervention, cultural competence, and engaging men in conversations about sexual violence.

“We encourage faculty and staff to share this information with students they believe would be good peer educators who are willing to help the university work collaboratively to shift the campus culture,” said Katie O’Brien, vice president for Student Affairs.

Faculty and staff can also email student recommendations to Nichole Gonzalez at ngonzale@sbu.edu or O’Brien at kobrien@sbu.edu.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things. St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #1 regional university value in New York and #2 in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.