Violence Free Zone Training opens eyes on relationship violence

The Maverick Diversity Institute hosted a speech with Interim Director of the Violence Awareness & Response Program Shadow Rolan on violence topics. The event took place last Tuesday on campus and was attended by graduate and undergraduate students.

Rolan told students about violent situations that could happen at the workplace and in relationships. 

“It is important for students to be a part of this training because I feel like a lot of students are confused about what certain definitions are. I feel like this training clears some things that they might be questioning and it also validates victims and survivors of what they have experienced, and what is going on with them in college,” said Rolan. “It teaches abusers what not to do and makes them take accountability and look at themselves and reflect on their actions.” 

Violence Free Zone Training taught attendees what violence is, how to define it and how to cope with consequences. Passing this training and attending events is suitable for students who conduct research or advocate for victims of various types of violence. This would also interest those who would like to expand their understanding of the term “violence.”

Graduate student Sydney Dumond conducts research on sexual violence and how people form an identity, and attended the event. 

“I would definitely recommend this training to others. I think that one of the biggest problems with domestic violence is the lack of awareness and I feel like this was specifically a really good introductory course for people who don’t really know anything about intimate partner violence and domestic abuse,” said Dumond.

Rolan believes students don’t always recognize the situation they are in.

“People are not always aware that they are being intimidated or coerced into anything,” noted Rolan. 

The training also raised the topic of how society promotes wrong ideas that people are later convinced of. 

”If a partner is jealous, then it’s cute, or if a boss happens to believe that he/she holds power over you, then they can make you stay at work longer. People have this dynamic that they don’t actually understand what certain situations look like. Even checking a phone of a partner is a sign to reflect on it,” Rolan said.

Visiting the Violence Free Zone training can help people learn about healthy relationships in society.

“I feel like this training is useful just for everyday interactions and experiences between colleagues, coworkers, boss and employees, students and teachers and between partners,” said Rolan.

Header Photo: Shadow Rolan explained about violence in the workplace and in relationships and how to cope with consequences about violence and how to identify it along with advocating for different victims. (Amalia Sharaf/The Reporter)

Write to Amalia Sharaf at amal.sharafkhodjaeva@mnsu.edu