Assault can happen anywhere, any time. Four students in Shippensburg University professor Marita Flagler’s social work class tried to change that by hosting a program called Prepare, Prevent and Defend.

Students learned about SU’s sexual misconduct policy, relationships and how to defend themselves.

Gathered in the Ceddia Union Building’s multipurpose room, guests talked about healthy and unhealthy relationships by dissecting Disney movies. Women’s Center Director Stephanie Erdice led the discussion.

“The Little Mermaid” taught women to give up their talent to be with men, Erdice said, like when Ariel gave her voice away in exchange for legs.

“Beauty and the Beast” shows viewers that if you love someone hard enough, they will eventually love you back, Erdice said. Disney movies have not done any favors for men either, while portray the ideal man as rich, royal and handsome, Erdice said. Sometimes, the prince’s or male lead’s name is not even mentioned in the film.

Healthy relationships can be defined by two-way communication, mutual respect and honesty, among other qualities, according to Erdice. Guests brainstormed examples of famous couples that seem to embody those qualities.

“Love is an action,” Erdice said, regardless of the promises a person makes.

Cecil Howard, SU’s Title IX coordinator and director of the office of social equity, spoke about SU’s sexual misconduct policy.

“I don’t think I can talk about it enough,” Howard said.

Howard defined consent as explicit cooperation both verbally and behaviorally. Silence is not consent. Passive cooperation is not consent. It must be specific to each situation, according to Howard.

“Just because it happened last week doesn’t mean it’s OK for this week,” Howard said.

Students who violate university policy can face consequences including interim removal from classes, interim removal from campus housing, suspension or expulsion, depending on the violation, according to Howard.

Senior social work major Devin Rideout demonstrated his karate skills to show guests how to defend themselves. Rideout is a martial arts instructor at Thompson’s Karate Studio in Greencastle.

Although self-defense is a valuable skill, Rideout stressed the importance of flight over fight.

“Defense is our last resort,” Rideout said.

Using a friend from his studio to demonstrate the moves, Rideout showed students how to use basic self-defense.

No matter your size, elbows can be used as weapons to hurt your attacker. Rideout used his elbows to mirror hitting the attacker in the face, thigh and groin.

If someone wraps their arms around you from behind, Rideout said, twist the attacker’s wrist or bend one of their fingers back. This small movement will create a large amount of pain, resulting in the attacker loosening their grip so you can get away. Each of Rideout’s moves ended with a way to escape.

“It’s all about the speed with self-defense,” Rideout said.

Since the crowd was small, students got up close to watch Rideout and his partner spar, asking questions as they progressed. Rideout took requests from the audience to demonstrate moves for specific situations.

“If five more people learn about sexual misconduct, then I’m happy,” senior Sonya Coleman said.

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