Tennessean reschedules sex assault prevention event
The Tennessean has rescheduled an event meant to inform bystanders how to intervene in and help prevent crimes.
The event, "See Something, Say Something: Speak up to Prevent Sexual Assault," is March 31. It is in part a response to the number of people who did not report suspicious events related to a 2013 incident when former football players raped a woman at Vanderbilt University.
"The Sexual Assault Center has heard hundreds of stories where a survivor of sexual assault may not have been victimized if someone had intervened," Rachel Freeman, vice president of programs at the Sexual Assault Center, said. "In order to be an active bystander, it is imperative to understand the best ways to go about intervening in a violent situation, like sexual assault, and to feel comfortable in those actions."
What: Training on how bystanders can prevent sexual assault, led by the Sexual Assault Center and Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. It will answer the questions: How do you speak up in an uncomfortable situation? What is the right action to take? If you see something suspicious, what do you say and to whom? If you speak up, will everyone know?
The event also will include an overview of sexual assault crimes, investigations and resources in Davidson County, with speakers including:
•Metro Schools Chief Support Services Officer Tony Majors
•District Attorney Glenn Funk
•Metro police Capt. Preston Brandimore, Lt. Michael Dudley and Sgt. Mike Shreeve
•Sexual Assault Center Vice President of Programs Rachel Freeman
Cost: Free, refreshments provided
Where: John Seigenthaler Center, Vanderbilt University, 1207 18th Ave. S. Parking is across 18th Avenue.
When: 6:30-8 p.m. March 31
RSVP: Space is limited, please sign up at bystandertraining.eventbrite.com.
Online: The program also will be shown live on Tennessean.com, and a video recording will be available on the newspaper's website after the event. No sign-up is required to watch online. The Sexual Assault Center will provide talking points for adults to discuss these issues with their children. The talking points also will be available online.
More information: Call reporter Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968 or email her at sbarchenger@tennessean.com.