What is gender-based violence?

Gender-based violence is an umbrella term for any form of sexual violence, domestic/dating violence, or stalking. Anybody can experience or perpetrate these forms of violence.

Sexual Violence: Any sexual act that occurs without the presence of explicit consent. Sexual violence can occur regardless of the type of relationship between the parties involved.

Domestic/Dating Violence: A pattern of behaviors used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another person in an intimate relationship. These behaviors may escalate over time. An intimate relationship is not limited to romantic partners. Other types of intimate relationships may include siblings, a parent and child, or friends.

Stalking: A pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Stalking can occur regardless of the type of relationship between the parties involved.

What can I do to prevent violence in my community?

Everybody has a role to play in creating a safer campus community. There are many ways you can be a part of the movement to end gender-based violence.

• Participate in a prevention program, such as a bystander intervention workshop
• Attend a Coordinated Community Response Team meeting. This multidisciplinary group of students, employees, and community partners meets once per semester and more regularly in sub-committees to provide a comprehensive and collaborative approach to preventing and responding to gender-based violence
• Start a conversation with your friends about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships
• Educate yourself about college policies and resources that are available to help individuals impacted by gender-based violence. Share these resources with your friends and colleagues

For more information on prevention initiatives, contact Jessica Wallace, MVP Project Coordinator by email at jwallace@molloy.edu or phone at 516-323-3856.

What resources are available for someone who has experienced violence?

Molloy College offers resources both on and off campus for individuals who have experienced or are experiencing gender-based violence.