Healthy Habits

 

By: Jennifer Wimmer

The Green Dot Program is FREE, nationally recognized, and was developed at the University of Kentucky.

It is strategy-based on the belief that: “Each one of us holds power as bystanders to actively prevent violence and shape our community norms”, and is focused on preventing power-based personal violence, sexual violence, partner violence, and child abuse – sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, as well as sexual harassment, such as in the workplace and at school, bullying in the workplace and at school, and stalking.

A Green Dot is any behavior, choice, word, or attitude that counters or displaces violence, by promoting safety for everyone and communicating utter intolerance for any type of power-based personal violence.

Kentucky high schools that participated in the Green Dot Program, for example, reportedly saw a 50 percent decrease in sexual assault.

According to the CDC, the majority of sexual assaults occur at or near the victim’s home – 8 percent on school property, 10 percent in an enclosed public area, 12 percent at or near a relative’s home, 15 percent in an open public place, and 55 percent at or near the victim’s home, with 48 percent who were sleeping or at home doing something when the crime occurred, and 29 percent traveling to and from work or school, or traveling to shop or run errands.

On the CDC website (CDC.gov), there is the advisement that suicide and attempted suicide is prevalent with those who’ve experienced sexual abuse, especially those who have not received the help they need in order to heal, and those who feel unsafe in their homes, schools, at work, and in their communities.

People who’ve experienced violence, including childhood physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, bullying, or sexual violence/rape, have a higher suicide risk. They deserve to be safe and supported in their communities. Family and community support are VITAL, and can help to ensure that repeat abuses aren’t happening, and that new victims are not preyed upon.

To schedule a FREE Green Dot presentation at your high school, business, or organization, please contact New Beginnings, in Owensboro, and visit the page for more details at https://nbowensboro.org/education-programs/.

Last year, I interviewed Jennifer Francis-Gehring, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at New Beginnings, and wrote an article on this topic that was published in the 4-13-2023 edition of The Clarion. She said that the national statistics – 2 out of every 10 people are survivors of sexual abuse or assault – are actually incorrect, because there is only data for those who report. She said that, based on her decades of experience, it is more like 8 out of every 10 people who are survivors.

When adults and children in the community feel supported and safe, this will greatly reduce the amount of suicides, chronic depression, drug addiction, alcoholism, and other challenges to the goal of a healthy and thriving community.

Those of you who are in leadership roles in the county are encouraged to implement the Green Dot Program through your organizations, businesses, schools and in the cities and county. Standing in solidarity with victims and providing this much needed support is crucial. These victims are some of the most vulnerable individuals in the community, and they desperately need to know that a safety net has been firmly established, and that they are safe and supported.

For more information on the Green Dot Program, please visit the website at: https://www.kasap.org/green-dot-community/.

~Be Well and God Bless You.