Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information

SALEM, Mass. -- On Monday, September 28th a group of 23 student-athletes, representing 11 varsity athletics teams, participated in a Bystander Intervention Training workshop as part of the Vikings CARE (Communicate, Advocate, Respect, Educate) program. Launched in 2015 and based on University of Arizona's Step UP! Program, Vikings CARE is a bystander intervention training that was customized by Salem State University for the Salem State community and one that promotes respect, civility and responsibility within our community. The goal is to create a culture of investment amongst students, staff and faculty and provide knowledge and tools to empower the community to deal with situations related to power based personal violence, hazing, harassment, and bullying.  The result of such training will provide students with the ability to identify a situation, brainstorm options and implement an action. 

The overarching mission of Vikings CARE is to foster and emphasize each individual's responsibility to the larger community.  In order to accomplish this, we provide the tools to empower students, staff and faculty to assist with efforts to prevent power based personal violence before it happens.

SSU student-athletes are the second group of campus leaders to be involved in this training program. Last year, the SSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee took on the issue of sexual assaults among college students and mitigating the risk factors involved as a year long focus of programming. This focus led to SAAC involvement in the Vikings CARE program.

"I am honored to work at a university where student-athletes take on matters of this importance" said Peggy Carl, Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Their commitment to the ideals of respect, civility, and responsibility are important and will have a profound impact on their teammates, classmates, and out into their individual communities."

Coordinator for Student Conduct and Mediation Programs, Cassie Kao, was one of the facilitators for the training. "I'm excited about how the student athletes have embraced bystander intervention and the desire to create a culture of helping one another.  Student athletes are tremendous leaders not only on their respective teams, but also in the classroom & community.  We're hoping they will continue to influence their peers to help achieve this culture of investment."

For more info on Vikings CARE, visit https://www.salemstate.edu/28791.php