Only 1 hour had passed and the audience in the 8pm show was just as passionate at NW MO State University. They wanted to make a difference and so they chose a sentence no one else had said this year. Here is their video below. REMEMBER to invite people to watch these videos and help each campus win the competition at getting the most people to WATCH their message addressing the issues discussed in the “Can I Kiss You?“ program.
NW MO State does it AGAIN
Molloy College
This morning was waking up at 4am – catching a flight to JFK in NYC and then driving to Molloy College for a 9:30am presentation. Afterward, I drove to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Molloy College is always special because they are one of the first schools we worked with. Bob brought me in from the start and seeing him each year is like seeing an old friend. A big hug starts our day. Bob is a retired NYC police officer who has been at Molloy for several years now. You can see the impact he has when students walk by and talk to him.
The last few years, Steve has been in charge of bringing me in and he does a really nice job organizing the day and morning. Kudos goes to Steve and Bob for the wonderful food collection they did the days before I got there – to give back to their community. The results were amazing.
This year was their largest incoming class ever and so the gym was packed!! 9:30am for incoming college students can be rough. Not this group. They were responsive and shared openly. Thanks everyone. Now off to Vassar College.
St. Lawrence Leads the Way with Advocates
Tonight, I was at St. Lawrence University and every year they WOW me with their fantastic Advocates Program. If you work on a college campus and want to see a great example of student advocates in action, this is the campus to follow. Each year, over 30 students are trained to be sexual assault advocates. Just taking over the program a day ago is Chris Morran – who came from Lehigh University.
In the coming weeks, we are going to schedule an interview for Chris to share how they’ve built the program at St. Lawrence AND what they are doing to expand it!
As for the shows, it was HOT! Hot = great audiences who you know were going to make a difference AND HOT as in the temperature. The stage lights were hotter than normal. I didn’t get a long run in that day and so the show kept me in shape. 
Actually, I LOVE the theatre at St. Lawrence for its intimacy and its great tech staff who always make sure things are running smoothly.
A Big THANKS goes out to Amanda for bringing me back and to Chris for helping run a very successful event!!
Check out the pictures and video below. The videos are first and then you’ll see the pictures. ENJOY!
The College of New Jersey speaks out
Just finished speaking at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and they packed the house for both presentations. Over 1300 students heard today’s sessions and 930 sign-up via their cell phones for our BONUS TIPS. From stage, I provide the students a number to text. When they text the number and follow our instructions (take 5 seconds), they automatically get the BONUS TIPS. The feedback from the students has been overwhelming!
Jackie, thanks for a great day with you and your team!!
Welcome to 2009 Blog
Welcome to our 2009 Blog. As you can see, we have included posts from our previous blogs from 2007 – 2008 before we took a break to remodel our online community which is now launching in the summer of 2009.
The Date Safe Project blog is a CONVERSATION and so please engage and SHARE with everyone here by utilizing the “Comments” after each post. You will find posts for parents, educators, students, and caring individuals & organizations addressing dating, intimacy, decision-making, and sexual assault. While having fun sharing your thoughts with us, please keep comments positive in tone. THANKS!
Lets make a difference together,
Mike Domitrz
Person of the WEEK
The Date Safe Project’s first PERSON of the WEEK is Cheri, a strong and courageous sexual assault survivor who inspired me to begin speaking out against sexual assault / rape and would go on to inspire the founding of The Date Safe Project, Inc. at http://www.DateSafeProject.org and now The Date Safe Foundation (the new non-profit organization being established). Cheri’s strength, determination, will, and love for her family are a few of the reasons she has been a special role model to all us here at The Date Safe Project, Inc..
As I travel the country speaking in schools, on college campuses, and on military bases, audience members are continually moved by Cheri’s story. Many individuals come up to me to share how amazing Cheri is and how much her story has helped them personally. In 2005, Cheri chose to share her journey in the book Voices of Courage: Inspiration from Survivors of Sexual Assault (at http://www.VoicesOfCourage.com). Her sharing has positively touched thousands of people around the world.
To many people, they refer to Cheri as their “Coach,” I am blessed to call her my sister. Cheri, I love you and thanks for all you have done and continue to do!
WHO IS YOUR “Person of the Week”? Share your nomination for a future “Person of the Week” by typing your recommendation in the “Leave a Reply” box below. Each week, a new group of individuals will be considered and one will be announced. Get your nomination in today!
P.S. To follow each week’s “Person of the Week” and our daily “Challenge of the Day,” subscribe to our YouTube page at http://www.YouTube.com/DateSafeProject.org and follow us on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/DateSafeProject
Monday, June 15th Challenge of the Day
The Date Safe Project’s Challenge for the Day today is to tell us WHO is YOUR “Person of the Week” – find at least one person in your life who has positively influenced you on relationships, intimacy, equality, and in honoring sexual assault survivors. Then, thank the person. Look him or her right in the eye and let this special person know how much you appreciate him or her.
Next, tell us about the person and what they did to make a difference in the “Leave a Reply” box below:
Here is the video of today’s “Challenge of the Day”:
Sexual Assault Awareness Signs Being Torn Down at Princeton
SpeakOut is a simple posting found in bathroom stalls all over Princeton’s campus. SpeakOut is thought provoking and raises awareness about sexual harassment and assault. Unfortunately, their signs are disappearing. Why? The people who make up the SpeakOut group believe it is a form a protest.
The SpeakOut group was formed because it was recognized that 1 in 12 college men have conducted themselves in such a way that they have met the legal definition of rape. Additionally, the group disagrees with current slang found on campus that degrades women and makes light of sexual assault.
Click here to read more.
SpeakOut would like to see the issues of campus sexual assault and date rape recognized. Instead their message is being torn down – literally. We encourage SpeakOut to stay determined – as many of us around the country support their efforts!!
Connecticut Students let silence speak out against violence
Sometimes silence is stronger than words. Students in Stamford, Connecticut participated in National Teen Violence Awareness week by holding signs stating, "Love is NOT abuse" and "Love is NOT a shove." The silent protests were heard around the nation. With Connecticut ranked number two in the nation for domestic violence, the teens in Connecticut are taking this week very seriously.
Students are actively boosting awareness in their schools and communities. A group of students from a coalition called The Peace Project stated they would testify against the state Judiciary Committee and hold silent protests in Hartford, Connecticut to show their position on the subject.
The students are making headway. They received recognition from State Senator Judith Freedman. The best news? The students are dedicated to awareness, not just for this week – but for every day of the year!
Teenagers in North Texas Address Teen Dating Violence
As we find ourselves right in the middle of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week, I am encouraged to see teens and schools around the country participating in making a difference.
What we fail to realize is dating violence is often learned in schools from peers. Educating our teens about healthy relationships and raising awareness will greatly reduce the cycle of violence.
The Family Place and the Allstate foundation in the Dallas area in particular have done a wonderful job in creating awareness and providing tools for teens and families. The two teams joined forces to develop a 10 week teen dating violence awareness curriculum. The curriculum is being taught in 25 schools around the Dallas area and meets the requirements of the Texas mandate requiring all schools to develop a dating violence policy.
I look forward to the day that all schools offer this type of violence and awareness training.
Read more at: http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/348843.html
