Green Dot is an anti-violence initiative aimed at decreasing and preventing the occurrence of power-based personal violence, including dating and domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and other forms of harassment, threat and intimidation toward an individual. Green Dot at UP aims to promote a culture of Pilot Care by helping students understand the strategies and tools they can use to prevent power-based personal violence in their own ways on campus. No one has to do everything, but everyone has to do something.
A Green Dot is a choice someone makes to use their words or behaviors to make it less likely power-based personal violence occurs. Green Dots do not have to be big things, they can be as simple as sharing a story of care with friends or on social media. Green Dots can look like...
There are 3 strategies a person may find helpful when they notice a harmful situation. We call these the 3 D's of Green Dot: direct, delegate and distract.
Direct: Get involved in the situation. This includes actions such as directly speaking with the person being harmed and/or the person doing the harm, checking in with someone who is struggling, and being a designated driver.
For example, you could say "Hey, I've noticed things have been rough with your partner lately and I'm worried about you."
Delegate: Find someone else better equipped to diffuse or stop the situation. Delegation could come in the form of calling the police, getting your loud, extroverted friend involved, or speaking to a staff or faculty member.
For example, knock on the RA's door and tell them about your roommate who hasn't left their room out of fear of running into their ex.
Distract: Exactly what it sounds like; create a distraction so the red dot does not occur. Your creativity is the limit, but this can include such things as asking one of the people to dance, spilling a drink on someone involved, or acting more drunk than you are and asking your friend to take you home.
For example, someone could distract by saying "Hey, do you two want to see how well I can juggle? I am super good at juggling."
There are so many different ways to get involved in helping us change the culture and prevent harm in our communities. No matter how big or small your part, you are helping make this change!
Social media plays a huge part in our culture! Simple things like sharing a Green Dot post or a Green Dot in your profile bio are great ways to be a part of the change. Follow us on Instagram - @wellnesscenterUP and use hashtags like, #WhatsYourGreenDot or #UPGreenDot.
Reference Green Dot in your email signature and social media bios. For example -
Part of a club or team? Show your commitment to ending harm and building healthy, safe, inclusive communities by hosting a green dot training for your group, putting on a fundraiser to support a local non-profit, or host a 'green out' sports game!
Whether you want to share your experience with Green Dot with others, or learn more about Green Dot, don't hesitate to start the conversation! Wear a Green Dot pin or T-shirt as helpful conversation starter, or reach out to the Green Dot team (wellness@up.edu) to learn about our Green Dot on our campus!
Questions? Contact us at wellness@up.edu
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
