02/27/2019
Green Dot’s bystander intervention programs, which train college students, faculty and staff to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence through empowering bystanders, are making a change in the world.
Alberto Lorenzo, an assistant director, trainer development for Green Dot, will speak at SUNY Cortland on Wednesday, March 6.
Lorenzo of Miami, Fla., will inform students and faculty about how they can make a difference by intervening in potentially violent situations, at 7 p.m. in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge.
The talk, which is free and open to the public, continues the College’s ongoing “Wellness Wednesday” series of events to promote campus community wellbeing during the semester.
“This will be Alberto’s second SUNY Cortland presentation,” said Title IX Coordinator Nan Pasquarello. “He is an engaging presenter who will provide opportunities for students to interact with one another. Students raved about his last visit during opening weekend in Fall 2017.”
In addition to Lorenzo’s presentation, two bystander training programs will be held on campus. A student session will be held from 1 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. The second is for employees and it takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15. Both trainings will be held in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge and require pre-registration.
These bystander training sessions aim to change campus culture and teach new techniques on how to be an effective witness in harmful situations.
A first-generation college student who emigrated from Cuba and grew up in the U.S., Lorenzo received a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in higher education administration with a concentration in college student development from Barry University. Alberto also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature with a concentration in Latino studies and literacy from Georgetown University. He worked in student affairs on violence prevention initiatives, alcohol and drug education and outreach at Georgetown University. Lorenzo has also worked as a crisis first responder on college campuses.
One of Green Dot’s main methods is teaching bystanders to think about the three Ds of intervention: direct; delegating the responsibility to others; and creating a distraction. The program engages witnesses to interrupt situations that are imminently or potentially high risk for violence. According to the Green Dot website, violence victimization rates were 17 percent lower among students attending a campus that implements Green Dot. SUNY Cortland is proud to be among the colleges making a difference.
This events are sponsored by the It’s On Us Action Team and the Title IX Office, in collaboration with Health Promotion.
Information will be released soon on events related to Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.
Students looking to RSVP to bystander training should contact Health Educator Lauren Scagnelli. Faculty interested in attending the training may email Cynthia Lake, associate director of residence life and housing for programming and staff development.
Prepared by Communications Office writing intern Skyeler Paparteys