Peer educators spreading awareness on campus

Charlotte Alba / Contributing Writer

Spreading awareness at FIU, FIU Counseling and Psychological Services as well as the Victim Empowerment Program educated students on healthy relationships and domestic violence during the 50 Shades of Lust and Kiwi Coloring Day event.

The event took place Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the GL Breezeway. At the event, CAPS peer educators advised the students on the do’s and don’ts of relationships, as well as what to do, when to react and how to go about a sexual assault situation.

The team of peer educators were inviting the students to participate in fun educational activities that led to free giveaways included graphic t-shirts that served as tokens of awareness to those who wore them proudly.

Kiwi, CAPS alien mascot, was also present at the event to welcome students and provide comic relief.

Cindy Guzman, one of the peer educators, explained “Sometimes college can make you feel like an alien but we can help you adapt to the panther galaxy.”

A portion of the FIU students who were present at the event had, at a certain time of their life, experienced or knew of someone who had encountered sexual assault.

Peer educators also promoted the services and resources that CAPS provided for students dealing with sexual assault or any type of domestic violence.

Services include a variety of help hotlines both online and over the phone, counseling centers on campus, and medical centers.

The event fulfilled the purpose of educating the students with its very informative tactics on the topics. They did this by sharing scenarios of sexual assaults and then providing the available options and possible solutions to the problems at hand.

With some of the peer educators having had previous experiences with sexual assault, they now serve as advocates who spread awareness throughout the campus.

During the event, CAPS emphasized the “It’s On Us” campaign.

The campaign encourages students to speak out and act in order to prevent sexual assaults. They provided a lot of information, brochures and even pins on its importance.

[photo by Charlotte Alba]

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