Schedule a Presentation
No matter what student group you belong to, class you teach or what department you work for, everyone can benefit from learning about gender violence and its prevention.
We offer a range of presentations related to sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking, that vary from 15 minutes to 6 hours. Presentations are free of charge for all University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff and we can accommodate evening and weekend dates throughout the year. Presenters include staff and/or trained student Violence Prevention Educators.
Contact Jill Lipski Cain to discuss ideas and schedule a presentation. We require at least two weeks’ notice for all presentations.
Menu of Topics
Presentation Overview
Going beyond just facts and definitions, we examine the complexities of these issues, provide audiences with everyday violence prevention skills, and teach people compassionate ways to support survivors. Below is a list of presentation titles and topics from which you can choose. We can also accommodate requests for general presentations on these issues based on the audience you have in mind.
Specific Presentations
The Green M&M Project: a reality-based examination of myths and messages about sex, power, and a culture of confusion.
This 60 - 75 minute presentation is our primary prevention education program. It aims to teach audiences how early forms of violence, in the form of attitudes and behaviors, contribute to sexual assault and relationship violence. In looking at the media, we see how messages such as, "women are always sexually available" and "men's sexuality is based in dominance" blur the line between rape and sex and make sex confusing. We also dispel many hurtful myths that wrongfully blame victims so that people can be supportive to survivors. By learning the truths behind myths about rape and sex, it gives the audience tools to interrupt this culture and speak up for an equal, fair world. For effective prevention of sexual assault, The Green M&M Project encourages ally behavior and provides skills for everyone to make a difference on an everyday basis. Staff Contact: Jill Lipski Cain pdf: brochure
"Dude, That’s So Gay!" stems from The Green M&M Project as it examines violence and homophobia in cultural slang, media, and narrow definitions of gender to understand why rape and abuse are so prevalent. This presentation is focused on the connections between sexual assault / relationship violence and heterosexism. Participants learn how gender violence is normalized, tolerated, and reinforced and how homophobia makes it very difficult for victims of relationship violence to come forward. Staff Contact: Jill Lipski Cain
Relationship Violence
Subtle forms of control, manipulative behavior, and hurtful comments are just some of the actions that an abusive person does to his or her partner. When it comes to this topic in society, people often ask "why doesn't the victim leave?" yet the real question should ask why the abuser is hurting and why doesn't he (or she) stop? This presentation will explain the various forms of abuse in relationships and explore the barriers that make it difficult for victims to leave. Audiences will also learn to be supportive by understanding the complexity of an abusive relationship and gain language to help someone they care about who may be hurting. Staff Contact: Jill Lipski Cain
Alcohol/Drug - Facilitated Sexual Assault in College
Consent should be an easy concept: the initiator of a sexual act needs to make sure it's OK with his or her partner before proceeding, which includes not being incapacitated. Yet, there exists a lot of confusion in our culture about sex and consent, combined with expectations when drinking alcohol, which contribute to the prevalent issue of sexual assault. This presentation examines the culture that fosters detrimental attitudes and behaviors regarding gender, sex and alcohol while explaining the risk factors for perpetration. The audience learns about common feelings of survivors who have been sexually assaulted and how to be supportive of them. Participants also learn effective measures for prevention which include challenging unhealthy and illegal assumptions about sex and consent. Staff Contact: Jill Lipski Cain
Men as Leaders in Violence Prevention
Do you find what it means to "be a man" limiting to what men really are? Do you recognize the pressure some men use to pressure women into having sex? Wish you could do something about hurtful comments some men make about women? When it comes to changing our culture, men have very important roles in preventing men's violence against women. Most men don't rape, in fact, a full 90 - 94% don't rape and never will. But the challenge for all men is choose not to contribute to the culture of violence, and instead, work for equality. We aim to engage men in taking on the issue of men’s violence against women because men are hurt, too, as a result of a culture that sells men short and impedes substantial relationships with women for them. Staff Contact: Jill Lipski Cain
Sex and Sexual Assault in a Culture of Confusion
Although most of our presentations for students are conducted by students (peer educators), this presentation for students is conducted by professional staff. The focus is on healthy ways to navigate a culture that consistently boxes men and women into unhealthy gender roles and sells images of sexual violence as something to be desired. Using the language of students, the facilitator invites audience input and discusses the assumptions that underlie sexual situations. This presentation challenges students to look beyond what they learn from movies, television, movies and advertising in order to better understand how they can have more equitable and fulfilling relationships. Staff contact: Roberta Gibbons
Violence Against Women with Disabilities
Women with disabilities are at a greater risk of experiencing violence and/or abuse than women who do not have disabilities. This presentation examines the cultural, attitudinal and physical challenges that increase the vulnerability of women (and men) with disabilities. This presentation is suitable for professionals and students and can be tailored to include protective factors for individuals with (non-cognitive) disabilities and family members of those who have any type of disability. Staff contact: Roberta Gibbons
Developing and Evaluating Violence Prevention Programming on Campus
Interested in learning how to create and assess advocacy and primary prevention programming on campus? This workshop includes discussion of recruiting and training volunteers, developing a comprehensive training for volunteers, and creating partnerships, protocol and procedures within the university in order to serve survivors of sexual and relationship violence. Staff contact: Roberta Gibbons
Family and Personal Violence: Recognition and Intervention for Health Care Professionals
Competent and ethical medical care includes knowledge about family and personal violence and an understanding about one’s role in intervention. This presentation examines the dynamics of family violence (including domestic violence and child sexual assault) and adult personal violence, including sexual assault and non marital relationship violence. The focus of this presentation is on understanding these complicated issues and how they relate to wellness, and providing tools and ideas for how to deal with a disclosure of violence. Staff contact: Roberta Gibbons
Understanding and Responding to Sexual and Relationship Violence in the Lives of Students
How do today’s students view sexual assault? How do they navigate the confusing cultural landscape related to relationships and sex? What can you do as a faculty or staff member to encourage healthy relationships and self respect, and what do you say if someone discloses to you that s/he has been a victim? Versions of this presentation have given to site directors of the international study abroad program and university staff who work in the study abroad office, staff of university counseling services, athletic coaches, and women leaders on campus. It is suitable for any unit that works directly with students. Staff contact: Roberta Gibbons
Advisor and Other Faculty/Staff Training: Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence
University faculty and staff frequently have close working-relationships with students. This training provides helpful information on responding to a student (or co-worker) if s/he tells you that s/he has experienced violence. This 45-minute training prepares staff and faculty to respond confidently in an often challenging situation. Staff Contact: Roberta Gibbons
Family Violence: An Intervention Model for Dental Professionals
This six-hour interactive training model is conducted for dental professionals by the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry faculty member(s) and The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education’s Director, Jamie Tiedemann. The training has been presented at national and international conferences for both dental and violence-related fields, facilitated for students in dental schools, and dental professionals practicing in the community. The audience size usually ranges from 25 - 50 and upon registration, each participant receives a power point handout, training packet, research and journal articles, a poster, and two videos that address clinical implications of abuse and intervention strategies for the dental professional. Our training is supported by the Office for Victim's of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) and anyone interested in having this training is asked to contact 1-800-627-6872 to request assistance. Staff Contact: Jamie Tiedemann
Domestic Violence in the Workplace: Training for Supervisors
This comprehensive three hour training objectives include:
a. Train participants on what the definition of domestic abuse is, the behaviors associated with it, and how it affects the workplace population;
b. Train supervisors how to respond with appropriate language and strategies in the workplace when approaching a colleague or an employee under their supervision who may be experiencing domestic violence;
c. Identify resources in the organization and community that could be used to intervene, support, and protect those involved in domestic violence;
d. Recognize how the elements of a positive, violence-free, respectful workplace for all employees enables the open communication of everyone to support employees in a domestic abuse environment. Staff Contact: Jamie Tiedemann
Additional Ideas and Elements for Presentations
We are able to add and adjust presentation topics to your needs by combining aspects of each to best fit what you have in mind.
- Stalking/harassment
- Legal options and advocacy
- Training for residential hall staff and other campus peer leaders
- Healthy relationships
- ...and more!