SHAPES

Please note that this blog is under development.

SHAPES stands for Sexual Harassment and Assault Peer Education and Support.  SHAPES is a program where students actively tackle attitudes and behaviours on campus and in the community that constitute sexual harassment and assault.  The program also trains students in how to support and help others who have been harassed or assaulted.

Why Run A Peer Program?

Rather than have usually older and unknown “experts” provide students with information about sexual harassment and assault and educating students in these areas, the SHAPES program is based on the premise that:

People are more likely to hear and personalize a message that may result in changing their attitudes and beliefs if they believe the messenger is similar to them in lifestyle and faces the same concerns and pressure (Sloane & Zimmer, 1993: 242).

How to become a SHAPES Rep.

Each year approximately 30 students who live in on-campus accommodation are selected to undertake training to become SHAPES Reps. Training is conducted over 2 days, usually during the weekend before “Orientation for New Students” in February. How are Reps selected? Firstly, students need to fill in application form 2010-shapes-applic-form, or you can collect a hard-copy from your college / residence.  Students living in on-campus accommodation then apply directly to their Head of College / Residence. Applications are usually submitted in late September, early October. Each college / residence has its own short-listing process and dates by which forms must be submitted. Once short listed, applications are forwarded by each college / residence to the SHAPES Coordinator who then determines final numbers for training.

For more information about the SHAPES (Sexual Harassment and Assault Peer Education and Support) Program, contact Student ASSIST on (02) 6773 2897 and ask for the coordinator, Annette Stevenson.