Todd Denny, M.S.W., will be implementing a series of innovative rape prevention workshops for Western New Mexico University students, faculty and staff during January and February.
The planned prevention programs will be innovative and sustainable, including experiential workshops and male bystander training.
“Most campuses offer one shot education programs,” said Denny. “That doesn’t make sense and doesn’t work. Creating long-term behavioral change occurs through prevention programs that are engaging, ongoing and include men as allies, a critical component in preventing campus inter-personal violence and rape.”
Denny has been planning the workshops since the fall semester, developing curriculum based on specific needs to the WNMU campus, working with several university departments to coordinate the initiative.
“Our comprehensive strategy will empower the campus in developing a sustainable interpersonal violence prevention program,” said Denny.
Four workshops will be offered and students will develop a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter that will roll out throughout 2016. The workshops are scheduled for January 19 and 26, and February 2 and 9, all at 7:00 p.m. in the Global Resource Center.
“WNMU is excited about our partnership with Todd Denny and happy that we are able to continue to educate our students on violence prevention,” said Jessica Morales, WNMU Director of Student Life. “We need to change the culture around sexual assault by engaging our students, change has to come from them. Ally and bystander training is a key piece in that cultural shift.”
Denny was featured in the award-winning PBS documentary “Date Rape: A Different Set Of Rules”, and is the author of Unexpected Allies: Men Who Stop Rape. He has conducted over 500 prevention-education workshops and training programs for colleges, universities and community organizations across the nation.
More information about Denny is available online: http://todddennymsw.com