Wake Forest expects all members of its community to act in respectful and responsible ways toward each other, and as part of its philosophy to educate the whole person, it places a high value on character. The University’s efforts to improve prevention and education about sexual misconduct include:

New Student Orientation

• Each year PREPARE (Policy Group on Rape Education Prevention and Response) conducts sexual assault awareness and prevention programs for all incoming first-year students (now approximately 1,200 students) during the first week of classes.
• During the “Wake Up” program, the University Police Department introduces student to campus policies and services. During this program, the speakers specifically address sexual violence and discuss the resources available both on and off campus.

“Tie a Yellow Ribbon” Week

Each February, PREPARE conducts a campus-wide Sexual Assault Awareness Week called “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Week.” During the week, more than 800 students attend awareness events, including the annual “Speak-Out” in Wait Chapel as well as a related documentary or movie showing and discussion. The “Speak-Out” is a ceremony honoring survivors of sexual assault. Wake Forest students submit anonymous testimonials of rape or sexual assault that are read by PREPARE students.

Health and Exercise Science 100

A mandatory class for all students at Wake Forest. One class session is dedicated to addressing sexual violence prevention and response. During this class, both on and off campus resources are shared and scenarios are reviewed and discussed.

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Program

This class teaches realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. RAD is a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, then progresses to the basics of hands on defense training. The RAD Program has been offered for credit through Women and Gender Studies for more than 10 years. Wake Forest currently conducts 12 sections each semester (more than 300 students in 2010-11).

Campus-Wide Events

PREPARE conducts campus-wide awareness events, such as “Can I Kiss You” (Mike Dometriz), “Sex Signals” and “Spitting Game: The College Hook-Up Culture” (Denice Evans). Each event has had a large turnout and has created dialogue on campus on the issues of sexual violence.

Residence Life and Housing

• Each year, the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy is published in the student staff manual and the policy is discussed with all staff members.
• As part of annual staff training, the 13 Graduate Hall Directors (GHDs) receive specific training and information from PREPARE and the Counseling Center regarding sexual assault. They become familiarized with appropriate responses for survivors of sexual assault, abuse or stalking, and they are provided with University resources to use when responding to these types of incidents. Each GHD participates in a “Behind Closed Doors” process where they respond to several simulated incidents involving sexual assaults. The Counseling Center is present during this training to provide feedback and recommendations.
• All 105 Resident Advisers (RAs) participate in similar training in the fall. They attend sessions with the Counseling Center, PREPARE and University Police and have the opportunity to develop skills for working with survivors of sexual assault, abuse or stalking. They also participate in several “Behind Closed Doors” scenarios in which they react to a simulated sexual assault crisis in the presence of a member of the Counseling Center.
• Each new RA is required to take Counseling 353, which is a course focused on college student development. As part of this course, they read case studies of sexual assault victims and discuss appropriate responses as RAs. The Counseling Center participates in this class to provide additional resources and recommendations.