ìLet's RAVE!
(ìLet’s Raise Awareness and Victim Empowerment!)
What is ìLet’s RAVE!?
ìLet’s RAVE! is a peer education program that is responsible for confronting the issues of sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence on campus. ìLet’s RAVE! members complete a seven week training program in which they learn facts and realities about these important issues.
Who are ìLet’s RAVE! peer educators?
ìLet’s RAVE! peer educators are University of Pittsburgh students, both men and women, who have a sincere desire to educate other students about sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Through training, the peer educators acquire effective communication skills and learn techniques for responding to potentially strong opinions and emotions that may arise during a presentation.
How do ìLet’s RAVE! peer educators educate their peers?
ìLet’s RAVE! is based on the concept of “students teaching students.” This is an extremely useful vehicle in addressing important issues. The peer educators present workshops to their peers on issues, such as, dating behaviors, power dynamics in relationships, gender role stereotypes, sexual communication, nonviolent relationships, stalking, prevention, etc. Presentations are given in residence halls, sorority/fraternity chapters, classrooms, and as requested by any student, staff, or faculty member.
What is the role of ìLet’s RAVE! peer educators?
The mission of ìLet’s RAVE! is to create an awareness of the dynamics of sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking and reduce the incidence of sexual violence and victimization. Through educational programming, the peer educators teach other students about the importance of self-knowledge and assessment, respect for others, assertive communication, personal boundaries, and the association between alcohol and violence in relationships and acquaintanceships. The ìLet’s RAVE! peer educators facilitate discussions on the responsibility of males and females to work together to prevent sexual violence and victimization from happening on campus.
Becoming a Peer Educator
If you are interested in becoming a ìLet’s RAVE! peer educator, call or complete the ìLet’s RAVE! Application and email it to kochruiz@pitt.edu. If you are interested in having peer educators present to your class/organization, please call or e-mail:
Mary Koch Ruiz, Coordinator
Sexual Assault Services
334 William Pitt Union
kochruiz@pitt.edu
412-648-7930