University of West GeorgiaUWG News Item
Contact: University Communications & Marketing
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
ucm@westga.edu
 

Sexual assault peer group to accept nominations

January 27, 2003

CARROLLTON, GA - The Department of Health Services at the University of West Georgia is accepting nominations for candidates for an all-male, peer-education group on the topic of sexual assault.

Health Services is looking for a diverse group of men who will represent many perspectives, races and backgrounds. The group will work to educate male students throughout the University on issues of sexual assault by speaking to fraternities, classes, various student organizations and students at orientations.

Debra Dugan, health educator, said, “Hopefully, this will provide an opportunity for open dialogue between men concerning our social structure.”

Nominees must be male undergraduate students enrolled for the fall and spring of 2003-04, and students who plan to remain enrolled the year after that are preferred. Ideal candidates are men who are strong public speakers, who relate well to other men, and who are sensitive to issues of violence against women.

The selection of candidates will take place this spring, and the peer-education group will be trained in orientation during summer semester. Group members will meet with four faculty advisors to discuss the culture of American men and why certain negative behaviors are socially tolerated. They will also discuss sexual assaults, the law and members’ opinions on the subject.

The four faculty advisors for the group are Drs. Richard Southall, assistant professor of physical education and recreation; Walter Todd, assistant professor of physical education and recreation and coordinator of intramurals and open recreation; Said Sewell, Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science; and Tobin Hart, associate professor of psychology.

For more information or to make a nomination, call Dugan at 770-838-3214 or e-mail her at ddugan@westga.edu.

-30-