Throughout the year, the Center for Prevention and Education (CPE) offers multiple programs and events to engage our community members around the following topics: consent education, healthy relationships, bystander intervention, gender-based violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and more. Please visit our signature program webpage to learn about annual and past events.
We collaborate with many partners on and off campus. If you are interested in partnering or collaborating with us, please email us at prevention@umw.edu.
Upcoming for 2025-2026
February is Teen Dating
Violence Awareness Month
Pathways to Nonprofit Careers
February 2 | 4 PM | Cedric Rucker University Center, Colonnade Room (315)
Join us for a Career Panel with our community partners. Sponsored by WGST, CCPD, and CPE.
Let’s Get Consensual
February 10 | 11 AM-2 PM | 2nd Floor Living Room, Cedric Rucker University Center
Join us for some pre-Valentine’s Day tabling with the Student Health Center and Mary Wash Health Care. We will have Valentine’s Day cards to share with your boo-thing and friends. Also, candy, resources, tips (consent and sexual health), etc.
Love Yourself First
February 12 | 5 PM-7 PM | Campus Recreation
UMW Campus Recreation is hosting a “Love Yourself First” event with back-to-back 20-minute group fitness classes. No group fitness pass is required. CPE and the Talley Center for Counseling Services will host a table to help you discover tips, tricks, and resources for prioritizing your emotional and mental well-being. Also, affirmation cards!
Couplets
February 18 | 4 PM- 5 PM | Mercer, room 103
These eight, lighthearted, and humorous videos can unleash deep conversations about the difference between healthy and unhealthy behaviors in both friendships and dating relationships. One lucky student will win Eagle One Dollars!
Spring Break Pre-Game
February 24 | 1 PM-5 PM | HCC, 210
Do you need to relax a little before the long break? Stop by for themed mocktails, treats, music, and coloring. We will have a prize for the best coloring sheet. Also, resources.
Past Events:
April is Sexual Assault
Awareness Month
SAAM Tabling and Day of Action
Tuesday, April 1 | 11 AM-1 PM | CRUC Kiosks
The first Tuesday of every April is the SAAM Day of Action. Chances are someone in your life is a survivor of sexual harassment, assault, or abuse, even if they have never shared their story with you. Show your support for survivors of sexual harassment and abuse by wearing teal — the color of sexual violence prevention. If you do not have teal in your wardrobe, we will have TEAL pins for everyone. Post on social media using #SAAM2025. Sponsored by the Center for Prevention and Education and RCASA.
Take Back the Night
Thursday, April 3 | 6:30 PM | Lee Hall Patio (Rain Location: The Underground)
Join survivors, advocates, and allies for an evening of empowerment and healing as we TAKE BACK THE NIGHT and unite against sexual violence. Take Back the Night: Speaker Registration. Sponsored by the Talley Center for Counseling Services in collaboration with Archaic Artisans, Center for Prevention and Education, Ellie Mental Health, FAHASS, Fredericksburg Pride, Mr. Reggie’s Snow Cones, Navy Victim Advocates, One-Note Stand, Possum-bilities, Psi Chi, Psyched Recovery, RCASA, and Safe Zone.
Campus Goes TEAL
Thursday, April 3 | Sundown | Ball Circle
In honor of SAAM, the center of campus will be lit TEAL. Please check out Ball Hall, CRUC, Virginia Hall, and Lee Hall. Special thank you to Events AV for creating this visual for our campus community.
Couplets Drop-By Event
Thursday, April 10 | 1:00 – 5:00 PM | HCC Living Room, Media Library
These eight, lighthearted, and humorous videos can unleash deep conversations about the difference between healthy and unhealthy behaviors in both friendships and dating relationships. Drop by the event, watch a ten-second animated video, and guess if the behaviors are healthy or unhealthy.
CPE at ASPIRE WEEK
Monday, April 14-Saturday, April 19th | 11 – 1 PM | Various Spots on Campus, but mostly Campus Walk/Ball Circle
UMW’s ASPIRE Week returns the week of April 14th to celebrate campus and community values. ASPIRE stands for six values – one highlighted each day of the week. The week is sponsored by SGA in collaboration with many campus partners, student groups, faculty, etc. We have listed the days for CPE and our contributions for ASPIRE Week:
- Monday, April 14th -Day 1 (Accountability)
- Tell us what Consent means to you using our velcro board.
- Wednesday, April 16th – Day 3 (Personal and Institutional Integrity)
- A unique Crafternoon activity in support of the upcoming Denim Day with SAE
- Thursday, April 17th – Day 4 (Inclusive Excellence)
- Red, beige, or green flag. You be the judge in this card game.
Heads Up Game with CPE
Monday, April 21 | 12 – 4 PM | Mercer/Nest Patio
Can you play this guessing game? Use clues in the themed category of UMW resources, off-campus partners, and CPE annual events.
Grounding Stones at Unwind
Monday, April 28 – Tuesday, April 29 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | CRUC Living Room
Create your own Grounding Stones for RCASA.
Denim Day at Unwind
Wednesday, April 30| 10 AM-1 PM | 2nd Floor, CRUC
Make a social statement with your fashion statement by wearing denim. Stop by to pick up buttons and write an empowering message to survivors of sexual violence. Meet for a campus picture at noon on the steps of the Cedric Rucker University Center (CRUC), inside on the 2nd floor.
Red Zone Awareness
kNOw MORE Resource Fair
Tuesday, August 26 | 11 am – 2 pm | Cedrick Rucker University Center (CRUC), 2nd Floor Living Room
Kick off the first week of classes by connecting with resources on and off campus. We will have ice cream, swag, volunteer and internship opportunities, and SO MUCH MORE!
Sponsored by the Center for Prevention and Education
Coffee and Consent
Tuesday, September 2 | Morning Time | Campus Walk
Students will have the opportunity to enjoy free coffee, learn more about campus and community resources and support, and join a community conversation about consent. [Rain Location: Cedric Rucker University Center (CRUC), Kiosk A + C]
My Voice Has Power – Bystander Intervention Training
Tuesday, September 9 | 4-5:30 pm | Woodard 132
StepUp! is a prosocial behavior and bystander intervention workshop that teaches community members how to be someone who steps up and helps others.
Golf Cart Trivia
Tuesday, September 16 | Afternoon Time | Around Campus
Enjoy a golf cart ride to your location with an opportunity to win prizes by answering questions about Title IX and resources. Sponsored by the Center for Prevention and Education and University Police.
October is Domestic
Violence Awareness Month
CPE at Disability Awareness Month Kick-Off Table Fair
Wednesday, October 1 | 11 am – 2 pm | Campus Walk | Rain Location: Cedric Rucker University Center (CRUC) 2nd Floor Living Rooms
Join the Disability Awareness Month kick-off event where information and goodies, including free t-shirts, will be available from campus and community partners, such as: the Office of Disability Resources, the James Farmer Multicultural Center, Talk to the Hands, POTS Club, Best Buddies, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Mental Health America – Fredericksburg, and more.
Eagles Pledge Purple
Thursday, October 2 | 11 am – 1 pm | Campus Walk | Rain Location: University Center, 2nd Floor Kiosk
The Center for Prevention and Education (CPE) and Empowerhouse (local domestic violence agency) will table with resources, swag, volunteer opportunities, etc. Everyone is encouraged to wear purple. Purple is the national color for Domestic Violence Awareness. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about domestic violence and an easy way for people to show their commitment to promoting healthy relationships.
Clothesline Project
Thursday, October 9 | 11-2 pm | Cedric Rucker University Center, 2nd Floor Living Room
A visual display of sexual violence that often goes ignored. Each shirt is made by a survivor of violence or by someone who has lost a loved one to violence. The color of each shirt represents a different type of violence.
Paper Bag Luminaries + Purple Night
Wednesday, October 15 | 11:00 am- 3:00 pm | S.T.A.R.S. Suite, Lee Hall 308
Stop by to help us decorate luminaries to raise awareness for domestic violence and show solidarity with survivors. Also, enjoy some purple-inspired desserts. At night, the center of campus will turn purple to honor and recognize survivors of domestic violence.
CPE at Talley Treats
Thursday, October 16 | 11 am – 2:00 pm | Campus Walk | Rain Location: Cedric Rucker University Center (CRUC) 2nd Floor Kiosk
One Love Jeopardy
Monday, October 20 | 6:00 PM | Lee Hall 411
Join the Center for Prevention and Education & UMW’s One Love Club for a bit of jeopardy to understand the healthy and unhealthy signs in a relationship. Snacks will be provided.
My Costume Is Not Consent @ Scary Washington
Friday, October 31 | 11 am-2 pm | Cedric Rucker University Center
Halloween is upon us! We are excited to join Scary Washington, the annual CRUC Halloween takeover. In the fun of Halloween and checking out the festivities on and off campus, we send a reminder that costumes don’t equal consent. Stop by our area to grab candy, Halloween swag, and messaging around consent from the Center for Prevention and Education (CPE). The Student Health Center (SHC), Talley Center for Counseling Services, Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault (RCASA), and Mary Washington Health Care (MWHC) will also provide information and swag about sexual health.
January is Stalking Awareness Month
and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Red Sand Project
Tuesday, January 21 | 11 am- 2 pm | Outside Lee Hall
Join the movement to expand freedom and end modern-day slavery. Take a stand and pour the sand.