Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention
The Center for Health Education and Wellness (CHEW), in partnership with the Office of Title IX, is committed to educating the UT community about ways in which we can prevent relationship and sexual violence. Together, we work to prevent prohibited conduct before it occurs.
What is Relationship & Sexual Violence
Relationship and sexual violence is an umbrella term referring to conduct prohibited by the Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking. This policy outlines the definitions of prohibited behaviors, including sexual harassment (which includes sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), sexual exploitation, and retaliation.
Sometimes we also use the umbrella term sexual misconduct when referring to relationship and sexual violence.
What is the Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Initiative
With our partnership with the Office of Title IX, we seek to prevent sexual misconduct through primary prevention efforts. This includes building an environment that encourages well-being and healthy choices, as well as teaching our community to embody what it means to be a Volunteer who ACTs.
As part of these efforts, we engage with new members of our campus (students, faculty, staff), as well as groups in the community who may be at increased risk. We also provide ongoing presentations and educational opportunities and campaigns focused on topics such as being an ACTive bystander, healthy relationships, consent, sexual health, and more.
Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Topics
Consent
Understand what consent looks like and how to communicate it clearly and respectfully.
Healthy Relationships
Explore signs of healthy relationships and tools for building trust, respect, and boundaries.
Sexual Health
Find reliable sexual health information, prevention tips, and campus resources for care and support.
Sexual Misconduct
Learn about sexual misconduct, reporting options, and supportive resources available on and off campus.
Vols ACT
Learn about Vols ACT training, including ways to be an ACTive bystander and support others.
Request a Presentation or Workshop
The Center for Health Education & Wellness offers educational presentations focused on relationship and sexual violence prevention topics, including healthy relationships and consent through the Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Initiative. These sessions provide evidence-based information, interactive skill-building opportunities, and supportive resources to help students make informed decisions and contribute to a safer campus community.
Join the RSVP Team
The Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) team is composed of more than 30 members across the campus and the greater Knoxville community. The RSVP team provides leadership to the university’s sexual misconduct prevention through primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention efforts.
The RSVP Team is co-chaired by the Office of Title IX and Center for Health Education and Wellness staff. Current co-chairs are:
Kayle Davis, MEd, Assistant Director, Center for Health Education & Wellness
Laura R. Bryant, PhD, MSSW Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Prevention, Training, and Evaluation, Office of Title IX
Learn more about the RSVP Team.
Interested in joining the RSVP Team? Contact the Title IX office.