February

Nerd culture can feel fun, creative, and welcoming, but harmful behavior can happen in any space. Harassment, sexism, and boundary-crossing are not limited to one type of person or group. Calling out these actions helps make gaming, fandom, tech, and online communities safer for everyone. Respect, consent, and accountability should be part of every community, no matter how “nice” or harmless someone may seem.

Pepper spray, tasers, and self-defense trainings are often seen as simple safety tools, but safety is more than carrying a device or learning a move. Real prevention means looking at why violence happens and working to stop harm before it starts. While personal safety tools may help some people feel prepared, stronger communities are built through education, respect, accountability, and care for one another.

Power shapes how people experience safety, harm, and support. A power-conscious framework looks at how identity, history, privilege, and systems affect sexual violence. It challenges communities to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and focus on the deeper causes of harm. By building self-awareness, naming oppression, and working together, this approach helps create prevention efforts that are more fair, inclusive, and lasting.

The McCluskey Center for Violence Prevention brings people together to create safer campus communities. Through research, education, and action, the center works to prevent violence before it happens. Its mission focuses on learning from experts, supporting survivors, and building a culture of respect and care at the University of Utah and beyond.