Fair Play: Sexual Violence Prevention for Athletes
Based on research, and utilized in higher education from DI to DIII, this is our Flagship Program.
approach
We need a different type of prevention program. One that works.
An estimated 1 in 5 women on college campuses have been or will become victims of sexual assault, and some research indicates that male athletes are more likely to be perpetrators of such harmful behavior. Under Title IX, universities are obligated to educate all students on sexual assault prevention; but research shows that college athletes face a unique set of factors that suggests a need for more in-depth and culturally responsive education.
Dr. Kristy McCray, former director of a rape crisis center who currently studies sexual violence prevention in college sports, has developed an athlete-centered, 8-hour program that combines curricular elements such as consent, healthy sex education, and bystander intervention.
Fair Play: Sexual Violence Prevention for Athletes aims to decrease sexual violence through measurable changes in both the attitudes and behaviors of athletes.
"I learned strategies to stop instances when/where sexual assault may happen...
...It's always OK to interfere and figure out what's going on, and you guys have given us the right way to do so."
Male student-athlete
"I fully advocate for a safe environment for all...
...genders in all scenarios. I learned how hegemonic masculinity needs to change and how men should halt the marginalization of women."
Male student-athlete
Highlights of our Flagship Programming
Emphasizes Healthy Communication and Relationships
Fair Play emphasizes an understanding of sexual violence and rape culture; consent, healthy sex and relationships; gender norms; and bystander invention.
Immersive And Engaging Activities
Each session is immersive and expects participation from student athletes, featuring discussions, worksheets, writing activities, and other engaging learning strategies.
Modifiable Curriculum
The 8-10 hour curriculum may be delivered intensively during the course of 2-3 days or in weekly 60-minute sessions; we are able to modify based on your needs.
Improving Bystander Intervention
We teach participants how to intervene in ways that reduce conflict, helping to build a stronger athletic community to aid in bystander intervention.
About Fair Play: Sexual Violence Prevention for Athletes
Fair Play's targeted education emphasizes four evidenced-based curricular areas:
How do we accomplish this?
Several sessions, segregated by sex, are facilitated. Research suggests sexual violence prevention programs are more effective and have a greater impact if men and women attend separately, thus the program utilizes both male and female facilitators. Because athletes function in tightly knit, team-based “families,” all athletes should be regularly attending the sessions. The 8-10 hour curriculum is best delivered immersively over 2-3 days, but can also be facilitated in weekly 60-minute sessions. Fair Play achieves an intense saturation shown to be most effective with sexual violence prevention and bystander intervention techniques.
Fair Play blends research targeted at athletes with the best practices of a public health approach to sexual violence prevention, providing an expanded curriculum employing active learning methodologies. Ideally, athletes from different teams participate in sessions together, thus Fair Play builds a stronger athletic community to aid in bystander intervention. The broader campus culture benefits, particularly at schools where athletes are both leaders in the community and role models on campus.
