Members of Ohio University Student Senate will utilize Who Wants to be a Millionaire-inspired lifelines in a social media push to increase sexual assault awareness.
The program, called “Lifelines to Safety,” is a response to the higher reports of sexual assaults on OU’s campus during the past two years.
The creator of the campaign, senate public relations member Tony Koehling, said he got the idea because in the show, contestants are given the chance to use lifelines such as phone a friend or ask the audience. Senate suggests similar lifelines, such as always keep your phone with you and walking in groups.
“It’s a really great program to advocate and raise awareness about sexual assaults,” said Senate Chief of Staff Shawn Silvis. “Administration can only do so much. Students need to step in.”
Senate members will use social media to give students information such as who to call in case of emergency, safety education, bystander intervention and other safety tips.
Yesterday, senate’s PR team launched its Twitter feed, @safetythOUghts, which will be updated by Koehling as well as two other senate PR members, Kari Nickell and Tessa Dufresne.
“So far we’ve been doing great,” Koehling said. “(Right now) we’re trying to rally the troops and get people together. … We already have (more than) 50 followers.”
One of the Twitter account’s first tweets yesterday was: “Can we reach 100 followers by midnight to show that @ohiou is serious about preventing sexual violence on our campus?” following a tweet with statistics of sexual assaults, hashtagging “safety” and “retweet,” in attempt for students to spread the word.
On Wednesday, senate will make a public service announcement to put on YouTube, Koehling said. Senate members will play contestants and answer questions about sexual assault as a way to educate viewers.
“(YouTube) is a great way to use the video aspect of media to get the word out,” Silvis said. “The PSA is really important to make students aware.”
Senate President Kyle Triplett said senate is planning presenting Lifeline before the end of Fall Quarter to the leaders of student organizations on campus in hopes they will take it back their members.
“We’re trying to spread to a grassroots mechanism,” Triplett said.
ImPRessions will help with the campaign, contributing posters and flyers, Koehling said.
“OU is a beautiful place; students love it,” he said. “No one should be walking home at night in fear of being violated.
“If we can’t make a difference, then there is a problem.”
tl674710@ohiou.edu
