Green Dot

The UAF Green Dot strategy is a violence prevention program based on empowering bystanders. When people attend our trainings, they learn to recognize potentially harmful situations and how to safely intervene.

  • A red dot is the choice to use words or actions to harm another person. A red dot is a fight between dating partners, the moment a student can’t go to class because their stalker is waiting outside the building, the decision to have sex with someone without their consent. No one knows how many red dots happen at UAF but we can all agree there are too many.
  • A green dot is the single choice to use your words or actions to prevent someone from being harmed. A green dot is the choice to use words or actions to prevent someone from being harmed. A green dot could be creating a plan with friends before going out, checking in with a friend who’s in a new relationship, calling dispatch when you hear your neighbors arguing, walking home with a friend, or recommending resources to someone in need.

When the green dots start to outnumber the red dots, rates of violence will finally decrease!

Photo by UAF photographer JR Ancheta, Fall 2018.

Photo by UAF photographer JR Ancheta, Fall 2018.


Training Options

  • 90-Minute Overview - (Available for Employees or Students) This training introduces participants to the Green Dot Bystander Intervention strategy. Participants will learn more about their role in changing the norms around violence and ways that they can safely intervene to prevent harm.
  • 4-Hour Bystander Training - (Designed for Students) This training is highly interactive and focuses on skill-building and practicing. The activities strengthen the deliberate use of peer influence to harness natural leadership.