Violence prevention and safety programs

Working together to change the culture of violence

Success in college requires balance in your body, mind and spirit — and it’s hard to focus when relationships or conflicts create stress, especially when violence is involved. The Violence Prevention Program Office is here to support you with guidance and resources to address these challenges.

Required safety programs

Creating a safer and healthier campus starts with you. All first-year undergraduate students under 24 are required to complete three online safety courses — Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness, Hazing Prevention and Cultivating Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Violence. You’ll receive an email in your VandalMail with access details before your first semester. Each course takes about one hour to complete and can be done in multiple sessions. 

  • Fall 2025 students: Complete by Sept. 12, 2025, to avoid a hold for Spring 2026 registration. The assignment will be available in early August.
  • Spring 2026 students: Complete by Feb. 6, 2026, to avoid a hold for Summer and Fall 2025 registration. The assignment will be available in early January 

If you have any questions around this requirement or for help accessing the program, contact 208-885-6757 or rsp@uidaho.edu.

We recognize that the material covered in these courses, particularly sexual misconduct, can be difficult for some individuals to interact with. The content is designed to be sensitive to the variety of experiences our students have had. If, however, this assignment proves too distressing or triggering to complete, please contact rsp@uidaho.edu so we can provide an alternate means of completing the requirement.

Safety program courses

The Required Safety Program is comprised of interactive and engaging courses covering relevant safety-related topics for college students.

Courses include:

  • Decisions: Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness — This is a one-hour online course that uses science-informed strategies to provide students with the information they need to make decisions regarding alcohol and other substance use  
  • Hazing Prevention: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility — This is a one-hour online course that was created in conjunction with Hazing Prevention Network using evidence-informed strategies. This course teaches learners how to recognize, prevent and report hazing on campus, and how to create safer and healthier group dynamics
  • Cultivating Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Violence — This is a one-hour online course that uses science-informed strategies and the Social Ecological Model of prevention to educate students around issues associated with sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking.

About the campus safety program

Federal laws, including the Clery Act and the Stop Campus Hazing Act, require colleges and universities that receive federal funding to provide students with prevention and awareness education:  

  • The Clery Act mandates that institutions offer ongoing prevention and awareness programs for students and employees on topics such as dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.  
  • The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires institutions of higher education to provide evidence-informed prevention and awareness programs for students and employees. This federal law aims to increase transparency and protect students from the physical and psychological harm caused by hazing.  

By completing this course, you are not only fulfilling a university requirement but also equipping yourself with important knowledge to make informed, respectful and safe decisions while contributing to a healthier campus community. 

Violence prevention presentations and workshops

The Violence Prevention Programs Office offers workshops on preventing interpersonal violence, often in partnership with Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse and Vandal Health Education. Presentations cover key topics such as:

  • Green Dot Safety Program — Strategies for bystander intervention to prevent violence.
  • Healthy relationships — Building respectful and supportive connections.
  • Sexual assault/domestic violence — Recognizing and responding to abuse.
  • Stalking — Identifying and addressing stalking behaviors.
  • Hazing — Understanding and preventing harmful group behaviors.

View all presentation and workshop descriptions

Katy Benoit Campus Safety Awareness Month

Throughout September, campus partners across U of I come together to host events focused on promoting safety and supporting the Vandal Family. These events highlight the importance of looking out for one another and building a safer campus community.

View campus safety awareness month events

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Every April, we stand with survivors of sexual assault, harassment and abuse during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This is a time to support survivors, educate yourself and others, and take meaningful action to prevent sexual violence.

Help us raise awareness and show your support this April by participating in our upcoming events and sharing the resources available through the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

Check out the university’s events calendar for upcoming SAAM events

Contact us

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, is in an abusive relationship, or is being stalked, we’re here to listen, support and connect you with resources.

Cori Damron
Director of the Violence Prevention Programs
208-885-5044
cdamron@uidaho.edu

Katrina Critchfield
Violence prevention and education coordinator
208-885-5044
kcritchfield@uidaho.edu