The Center

The Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center works with faculty, staff, students and community partners toward the mission of eliminating the perpetration of power-based personal violence including sexual assault, partner violence and stalking.

While our heart is ensuring that victims of violence are met with the very best support, compassion and services that is humanly possible – our passion is reducing the number of individuals who ever become victims of violence to begin with.

We believe that prevention is built upon the premise that if a critical mass of individuals within the UK community each make small behavioral choices that contribute to a more responsive campus – we can ultimately, measurably reduce violence. If enough individuals model the importance of intervening in high-risk situations; if enough individuals use their words and behaviors to demonstrate utter intolerance for violence; if enough individuals visibly and unapologetically support victims of violence – then we can re-shape our culture into one that is incompatible with sustaining current levels of violence.

In order for students, faculty and staff to both proactively and reactively intervene in potentially high-risk situations in the most effective way possible, we believe we must be educated and equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. Toward this objective, the VIP Center prides itself as being a training and resources center for the UK community. With a volunteer motto, “Get what you need and get out,” we believe the front door of VIP should be a rotating door. Individuals within the UK community come in, get educated and equipped – then leave again to put their new knowledge and skills to good use in their daily life. Folks are encouraged to return to brush up on skills, deepen their training, step into leadership positions and get support – but are encouraged to leave often and apply what they learned to reducing violence within their sphere of influence