In early 2000, six students were hired and trained to serve as the first peer education team that would reach out to students at the U of A and its surrounding community. The group adopted the name RESPECT (Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought) to embody the work they were doing.

Twenty-five years later and the program is still going strong today. Join the Division of Student Affairs and the Sexual & Relationship Violence Center for an open house honoring those 25 years of peer education from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the SRVC on Garland Avenue.

From its beginning, the student group has been composed of men and women trained as peer educators to provide rape awareness, prevention and risk reduction education with a message of advocacy for victims and survivors to university classes, organizations, residence halls, Greek organizations and other campus groups. When opportunity arises, RESPECT also collaborates with community service providers to address the issue of sexual assault through community awareness initiatives.

Over the years, RESPECT has repeatedly been recognized for its outstanding service and education efforts. Over 16 awards have been bestowed upon RESPECT from regional and national recognition. This number pales in comparison to the many accolades given by students over the years through presentation evaluations and messages.

"RESPECT has been one of the greatest honors of my life work," said Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert, founder of RESPECT and director of SRVC. "The power of peers is tremendous. The many students who have served over the years have done great things while at the university and have carried on with what they have gained as a RESPECT peer educator. I am proud of all of them and thank them for their committed service."

RESPECT uses peer education to maximize its message and transform the student community's norms and attitudes toward rape. Peer educators are college students providing programming to other college students. This is accomplished through multi-faceted and innovative efforts to include interactive classroom presentations, awareness activities and events, and campus-wide participatory programs. RESPECT peer educators often are the first advocacy encounter a student has and leads some students to finding help they need. 

Serving as a peer educator has personal impact as well. Being a RESPECT peer educator has changed the lives of those who have served the university in this capacity.

"Being a part of a program that helps a lot of people makes me feel as though I am making a difference. RESPECT has given me confidence in the knowledge that I have and my ability to share it with others. My college experience has been made better because I am on the RESPECT team," said Abigail Wood, current RESPECT peer educator. 

Chulyndria Laye, RESPECT peer educator from 2009-2010 and clinical assistant professor of counselor education, said, "REPSECT taught me what advocacy meant and how important it was to advocate for others. I was learning to use my voice while spreading awareness for those who may have felt powerless."

"Being part of RESPECT empowered me to take real action toward sexual violence prevention," said Ivan Bibiano, RESPECT peer educator from 2016-2019. "In life we often discover our bottom-line doctrine — the fight we are compelled to fight for the welfare of all people. I knew sexual violence prevention was my passion when joining RESPECT, but doing the work and making an impact through this internship has made it part of my life for good."

The video is also available on YouTube.

The campus community is invited to attend the open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the SRVC, where we will continue to honor 25 years of excellence in RESPECT peer education. This is an opportunity to meet some to the peer educators, learn more about their work performed and give tribute to 25 years of peer education outreach to address sexual assault. All are welcome.