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Michigan State University
Michigan State University

Prevention, Outreach and Education Department

Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance

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SARV FAQ

Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence (SARV) Prevention Workshop FAQ

The Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence (SARV) Prevention workshop is required for undergraduate students in their 1st year at MSU, including transfer students. There are specialized workshops that focus on LBGTQ+ and International students as well. This workshop defines gender-based violence, explains university policies, and resources available on campus and in the community. This workshop will define the terms and discuss ways to intervene and begin changing the culture to help create a violence-free community.

Students will receive an email with instructions about how to register for these workshops.

The goals of the SARV Prevention Workshop include:

  • Creating awareness of and establish a definition of sexual assault, rape, and relationship violence at MSU
  • Educating MSU students about the programs and resources available on campus and in the community
  • Empowering MSU students to become active in their daily lives in the prevention of gender-based violence by providing applicable strategies of intervention
  • Educating all students to understand that they each share a responsibility in the prevention of sexual violence and the creation of a safe community

There are also two specialized versions of the SARV Prevention Workshop:

SARV Prevention for International Students: The International Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence (SARV) Prevention workshop is an alternative to the SARV Prevention Workshop for all audiences. This workshop has been specially written as an additional option for international students who are new to the United States. It defines gender-based violence, explains university policies, and resources available on campus and in the community with an added focus on international student audiences. There is also a handout if students would like to follow along.

SARV Prevention for LBGTQ Students: The LBGTQIA+ Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence (SARV) Prevention workshop is an alternative to the SARV Prevention Workshop for all audiences. This workshop has been specifically written as an additional option for LBGTQIA+ students on campus. It defines what gender-based violence, explains university policies, and resources available on campus and in the community with an added focus on LBGTQIA+ audiences.

Workshops FAQ
If you are having trouble accessing your workshop, it's possible the link has changed. You should have been sent a new link. Please check your spam/junk folders and look for the most recent email about your workshop. If you still can't find it please contact us at empower@msu.edu and we will get back to you the following day.
We recommend using Chrome to access the online work. Also make sure to clear your cache history to avoid any glitches.
While we do offer 3 types of SARV workshops. 1st year and transfer students are only required to sign up and complete ONE of the three offered workshops.

Our workshops are created with a survivor focus and are intentionally made to be sensitive to the topics of sexual and relationship violence. We have had survivor input during the creation of the workshops that help to make them trauma-informed and to present the content in the least upsetting, or triggering, way to folks who have experienced trauma. Our workshops create a space that allows the attendees to feel comfortable and safe, which also includes the option to step out or leave at any time they feel the information is too much. Our peer educators presenting the workshops are also trained to handle difficult situations and check in with those who need to step out and debrief.

Your safety and well-being is our priority. If you are concerned that the workshop might be a difficult experience, you may request accommodations by contacting the Training and Accommodation Specialist at empower@msu.edu or (517) 355-3865.

Yes. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) at (517) 884-7273 .
The SARV Prevention Workshop is required for all first-year and transfer students. This workshop plays an important role in educating students about resources and their role in intervention.
Attendance is tracked through Zoom attendance reports from your workshop and by completing a post-workshop survey that includes your MSU email. This survey link is given in your workshop.
You can register again for another workshop by following the instructions in your email to cancel your registration and select a new workshop date and time.
Follow the instructions in your email to register again. If workshops have concluded for the fall semester, you must register for a workshop in the spring semester.
All first-year transfer and freshmen students are on the mailing list to receive notifications about the SARV Prevention Workshop. You will continue to receive these notifications until after you have attended a workshop and your attendance has been recorded. Sometimes this can take several days.
This workshop is required for all first-year and transfer students, but if you feel like you have exceptional circumstances, please contact our department at empower@msu.edu.
If the university cancels classes due to weather, workshops will also be cancelled. However, you will still need to attend a workshop. You can follow the instructions in your registration email to sign up for a new date/time.
While we greatly value the education and experience students have had with gender-based violence prevention, this workshop will give all MSU students a consistent knowledge base about sexual assault and relationship violence dynamics unique to the college experience, resources of where to get help at MSU, and skills to safely intervene.
Prevention, Outreach and Education (POE) hires new peer educators every spring semester to begin work for the following fall semester. Check this website for an online application during the spring.
Please contact our department at empower@msu.edu.

Workshops FAQ