Peer educators aim to help prevent student violence

Domestic violence, suicide and sexual assault are problems that college students can possibly prevent simply by knowing more about them.

Kimberly Harvey-Livingston, adviser for Wellness and Prevention Education Services, said she is on a mission to provide information to University students on these subjects and others. She developed peer education groups and training 10 years ago to help curb potential problems before they arise. “They help the students develop understanding about their subjects and the things they teach and present on,” Harvey-Livington said.

A series of peer education training sessions, offered Nov. 13-15 in the University Center Ballroom, provided opportunities for students to earn certificates for completing training on how to deal and respond to problems.

Student Government Association, Wellness and Prevention Education Services and Crossfire Peer Education Group sponsored the event.
Samantha Dwight, also an adviser for peer education groups, agrees with Harvey-Livingstonís position on the importance of education.

“Being a peer educator is a good way to connect to others,” Dwight said. “We as peer educators are more listened to than staff members a lot of the time,” she said. “We’re on the front lines and hear a lot of what’s going on out there.”

One of the longest sessions offered during the training series centered on Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The session was important because drinking can be prevalent among college students, organizers said. Crossfire is the University’s affiliate of MADD.

Both Harvey-Livingston and Dwight said that while the training sessions are helpful to participants, sharing information to all students would be even better.

Students who want to get involved with their cause can contact Harvey-Livingston at 903-566-7197 or Kim_Harvey-Livingston@uttyler.edu.