Photo and story by Reana Gibson / Contributing Writer
MTSU hosted the Power of One Yard games at the Student Union Commons on Tuesday afternoon to promote awareness of bystander intervention on campus.
The Power of One is a program at MTSU that teaches students awareness of when violence is occurring on campus and how students can intervene.
The initiative began after the death of Lady Raider basketball player Tina Stewart, who was murdered by her roommate in her apartment in 2011. In light of this event, the Power of One was started. The committee seeks to spread to campuses both at and outside of MTSU to aid students in being more than a bystander.
The event is hosted by Barbara Scales, the director of the June Anderson Center for Women & Nontraditional Students (JAC), Debra Winans, the project coordinator for JAC and Kelly Hill, the Offense Against Violence for Women coordinator.
“If there is domestic violence, stalking, hazing, sexual assault (or) rape, we give (students) practical tips on how to intervene,” Scales said.
The Power of One Yard Games had corn holes along with a table set up by the coordinators. Pamphlets and detailed visuals on how to aid and intervene were on display. The event lasted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is held annually.
“Violence occurs everywhere,” Scales said. “By doing this, we are giving them the skills to not just intervene, but also prevent it.”
MTSU offers information and help with sexual violence here.
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