With Valentine’s Day coming up, couples all over the world are trying to find ways to celebrate with each other. They are buying flowers, chocolates, and various other gifts hoping that whatever they buy will be perfect. But with all of that comes stress, and sometimes that stress can lead to someone acting out against their partner.
There can be issues in relationships, even on Valentine’s Day, such as sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. Luckily, the University of Wyoming’s Green Dot program has advice for people who find themselves in those situations.
“I think it’s important to reiterate, Valentine’s Day or any other time, the importance of making sure that you have consent, and if you are unsure whether or not you do have consent, then you probably don’t have it,” Green Dot trainer and Psychologist Matt Grey said.
“Sometimes people try to infer a lot about where consent is concerned and make assumptions about whether consent is in place. So just in any sort of intimate context with partners, having a conversation about consent and making sure you have it.”
Darrah Short, a junior studying social work and a peer educator with Green Dot, echoed the same thoughts.
“There are people that have experienced various types of harm. And I think when you engage in conversations like this, whether it’s like during workshops or you know, even just that, like a tabling event, you can see something and be like, Oh, I didn’t realize that I was in an unhealthy relationship, or I didn’t realize that I caused harm to someone,” Darrah Short said.
For those people who might find themselves in an uncomfortable situation on Valentine’s Day, UW has some resources for both students and staff.
“We have Albany County Safe Project, and they have an office in town, but because a lot of students grapple with these issues, there is an office on campus where they have an advocate. You could talk to Faith Project, and they would walk you through resource options and support. Student Health University Counseling Center, our psychology treatment clinic, or any of those mental health or physical health treatment facilities,” Grey said.
“You can disclose your experience privately and confidentially without a formal report being made by disclosing to a licensed mental health professional like University Counseling Center or the psychology clinic, Safe Project, or University Student Health Center,” he added.
“These entities can help you get assistance and support whether or not you elected to make a formal report about sexual assault or discrimination.”
It is important to note that besides the resources listed above, most campus staff and faculty are mandatory reporters and are required to report any type of sexual assault and discrimination to someone higher up.
