Statistics help us put things into perspective. Sometimes statistics can be fun. For instance, take “one in three”. There are some odd facts associated with this ratio.- One in three people illegally download music off the Internet.- One in three Americans is raised as Catholic.- One in three Australians is at risk of developing kidney disease.- Ironically, one in three people actually believe marketing statistics. However, there is one national “one in three” statistic that carries with it grave implications for young women and men. That is the statistic on relationship violence. Today, in high schools and on campuses, one in three young women and men is a victim of one or more of a whole menu of behaviors, including stalking, physical and emotional violence, and rape.In the Green Dot program, each instance of violence or bystander nonintervention is considered a Red Dot. Green Dots are instances where a bystander takes action against violence. The types of action are defined in the Green Dot Bystanders Pledge, http://www.greendotkentucky.com/.
“A green dot is any behavior‚ choice‚ word or attitude that promotes safety for everyone and communicates utter intolerance for rape, domestic violence and stalking. A green dot is intervening in a high risk situation – a green dot is sponsoring a fundraiser for prevention efforts – a green dot is responding to a victim-blaming statement with words of support – a green dot is hanging a prevention poster in your office or business – a green dot is teaching your kids about respect– a green dot is putting a link on your website to your local prevention program - a green dot is providing safety information on the counter at your business. A green dot is simply your individual choice at any given moment to make our state safer.” The goal is simple: displace red dots with green dots. This is done by tapping into the potential of bystanders, particularly those in a group who are obvious leaders. In the Green Dot program, these leaders are taught to identify and effectively react to high-risk situations. Leaders then go out and share the message that violence is not longer accepted behavior. It brings prevention down to individual acts, thus making a solution within the reach of everyone involved.
The Green Dot Program at the UK grew from 14 participants to more than 1,400 participants in just three years. It has been adopted statewide by the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (http://www.kdva.org/) and the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (http://kyasap.brinkster.net/).
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