Violence Intervention, Prevention & Early Response
Program Need
Why the Program?
College campuses typically serve students in a high-risk age group for these crimes. Here are some of the statistics:
- Women ages 16 to 24 experience the highest per capita rates of intimate partner violence.
- Of the fifty states, Oklahoma consistently ranks among the highest for the number of females murdered by males.
Not Just a Women’s Issue Anymore!
- 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime.
- In America, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape.
-National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2007
Why have VIPER at SWOSU?
Part of SWOSU’s mission statement is to “contribute to the educational, economic, and cultural environment; and support scholarly activity,” so SWOSU must continue to develop a campus culture that fosters healthy relationships and does not condone violence toward any SWOSU community member. A community, unbroken by violence and fear, will provide the atmosphere necessary to prepare educated young adults to be successful members and leaders of our society-at-large.
When an incident of violence occurs against members of the SWOSU community, the university must be able to respond appropriately to the needs of the survivor, while holding the perpetrator accountable. When this happens, both the survivor and the community have the opportunity to regain their health.
