Sexual Assault and Violence Education by Students (SAVES)

Who are we?

The Sexual Assault and Violence Education by Students (SAVES) peer education group facilitate interactive and educational programs that address sexual assault, healthy relationships, stalking, and the effects of media on gender-based violence. SAVES peer educators are a team of specially trained students (women, men, and people of all genders) who care about our community and want to make it a safe place for everyone to work and live. We are interesting, fun, and excited about what we do.

Our Mission

SAVES strives to raise awareness of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking through outreach and education in hopes that through our commitment we will create a safer and more accepting environment throughout the Virginia Tech community.

We can come by request to your organization or residence hall floor to talk about the following SAVES Presentation Topics:

Gender-Based Violence Workshops and Discussions

Topics like sexual assault, consent, relationship violence, healthy relationships, and stalking are important in the lives of college students.  SAVES is an anti-violence peer education group advised through the Women's Center, and they are available to facilitate workshops and discussions with your community, student organization, or other group.  All workshops are informal, led by fellow Hokies, and can be tailored to fit your group's needs.

Say Something with SAVES: A Conversation about . . . 

Consent and Sexual Violence
This interactive presentation provides a general overview of sexual assault, including the role of consent and alcohol. Multiple activities and discussions are used to help illustrate issues related to sexual assault in the college environment. Time is also spent teaching participants what they can do to help someone who has been sexually assaulted. This presentation can be modified to fit the needs of your particular group.

Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships 
Relationships are an important part of college life, but not everyone's relationships are always healthy. This interactive program looks at the continuum of intimate relationships – from healthy to abusive. Peer educators will lead students in hands-on activities and discussions to gain further understanding of how to create a healthy relationship. Campus and community resources will be reviewed and participants will learn what they can do to help someone in an abusive relationship. This presentation can be modified to fit the needs of your particular group.

It Happens to Hokies- Stalking Realities 
Dating Apps, Twitter, Snapchat, and other online communities are great ways to meet new friends and keep in touch with people. However, stalking (including the use of technology to stalk) and online harassment occur more often than we think. In addition to definitions and statistics, presenters will share examples through case studies and interactive activities. This presentation can be modified to fit the needs of your particular group.

To schedule a presentation, please complete the form.

Interested In Joining SAVES?

What is SAVES? We are a group of passionate and dedicated students at Virginia Tech that strive to educate our community on topics such as sexual assault, stalking, gender-based violence, and (un)healthy relationships. By leading presentations, hosting informal discussions, and organizing campaigns like Red Flag, we strive to encourage healthy relationships and make our campus safer and more rewarding for all of its members. Working with the Virginia Tech Women’s Center, we’ll provide you with the necessary training and resources to get started; just bring your enthusiasm and a commitment to helping others! In return, you’ll acquire a solid background in sexual assault/gender-based violence and how to stop it. This qualifies you to be a SAVES peer educator. Along the way, you’ll gain critical hands-on leadership experience in oral and written communications, campaign organization and operations, crisis response, and presentation skills.  

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