Colleges and universities in southwest Missouri are taking part in a program that seeks to enlist the help of bystanders to fight sexual assaults.
Drury University, Evangel University and Ozarks Technical College have implemented the Green Dot initiative, a prevention model that trains bystanders how to step in, speak up and interrupt potential acts of violence.
The Springfield News-Leader reports the training provides intervention options for various scenarios, such as creating a distraction, where a bystander might spill a drink at a party to divert attention.
At OTC, more than 300 staff members and 100 students have been trained. Drury and Evangel have had extra emphasis on training student leaders and people in campus housing. Missouri State University plans to launch Green Dot for the 2016-17 school year.