Relationship violence is more common than we like to think…
1 in 4 MRU students polled in the National College Health Assessment reported being in an intimate relationship that was emotionally, physically, or sexually abusive (2022).
Of those students, 1 in 2 reported having problems or challenges with intimate relationships, with 65% saying these issues caused them moderate or high distress.
1 in 7 MRU students, reported having problems or challenges with sexual harrassment.
What Is Stepping UP?
Stepping UP is a relationship education program designed by students, for students!
A major feature of the Stepping UP program is the opportunity for students to learn workshop development and basic group facilitation skills.
With support from community partners, faculty advisors, and staff, Peer Facilitators develop workshops to promote healthy relationships and raise awareness about relationship violence prevention.
Peer Facilitators host workshops where they help the wider MRU community to gain increased awareness and understanding of what it means to be in a healthy relationship, and ways to prevent relationship violence.
By examining challenges that students experience in all stages of dating and relationships, participants in Stepping UP complete the following four modules developed by Peer Facilitators:
- Bystander Intervention
- Sexual Relationships
- Healthy Relationships
- Gender and Media
Following the workshop, Stepping UP participants have the opportunity to create projects showcased on campus from March 6 to March 10, 2023.
Community prevention projects can include anything from...
- creating a social media campaign
- organizing an awareness event on campus
- developing a relationship violence prevention display on Mainstreet
- making an art piece that highlights key messages about relationship violence prevention
- ... or anything else relevant for MRU students and the prevention of relationship violence
Participants can work individually or in groups while being supported by the Stepping UP program coordinator, Peer Facilitators and faculty members to come up with ideas and organize logistics.
This is your chance to get creative, raise awareness about relationship violence prevention and promote healthy relationships!
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Step UP! |
Say Hello to Our 2022 - 2023 Peer Facilitators!
Stepping UP Peer Facilitators are MRU students who come from a variety of majors, each bringing their own points of view and knowledges to the program. Each year, the Peer Facilitators develop and run a relationship violence prevention workshop and fair informed by their unique perspective as students, ensuring content is relevant and current. Take a moment to meet the people who will be putting together this year's Stepping UP workshops and Community Fair!
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My name is Aleithia Beck, I am a Psychology student. In Stepping Up, I want to foster open dialogue and create a safe place for people to talk about relationships. I want to help people live healthier and happier lives. My goal is to give people a new perspective about relationships. -
Hello everyone! I am Andrea Romero, and I am in my third year of BA, majoring in Sociology and minoring in Philosophy … I believe that this program offers a safe space for people who have been through or are going through issues in their relationships so that they can take comfort in knowing that they are not alone! -
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Hello! My name is Chelyn and I'm in my last year of the BA Psychology program. I chose Stepping Up as my final volunteer experience because of the community. Prior to this year, I've heard many wonderful and uplifting stories about the program. The facilitators/coordinators within Stepping Up are truly some of my favourite individuals that I have met thus far at MRU. -
Hello! I am Doug, a 4th year student in the Bachelor of Social Work Program here at MRU! I am a part of Stepping Up because I find it important to have conversations about relationships and sex, to work to keep them healthy, and to prevent them from becoming unhealthy. -
Hello! My name is Emily, and I am a fourth year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Health Science and Minoring in Chemistry. I chose to join Stepping Up to help encourage myself and others to be open to talk about all aspects of relationships! -
Hello! My name is Emma, and I am in my fourth year at Mount Royal University. I am currently working towards my BA, and I am completing a double major in Psychology and Sociology (honours). I participated in Stepping Up last year, and I found it to be such a fun and rewarding program to be involved in. -
Hello, my name is Jaida Northey and I am in my second year of the Bachelor of Social Work program at Mount Royal University. I participated in Stepping Up as a facilitator as part of my practicum in my first year, and I really enjoyed it! I decided to volunteer this year because I believe this program is very important for students to learn about healthy relationships, sex, and dating violence, and to have support from other students. -
My name is Kayla and I'm a 3rd year Bachelor of Social Work student. I think peer led workshops like Stepping Up allow for students to feel more comfortable when it comes to learning about relationships and sex as it's less intimidating learning from other students. -
My name is Lindsey and I’m in my last year of a psychology major with a minor in history … Stepping Up has been a really good opportunity to be around peers that are enthusiastic about the same topics and to be able to share that with the rest of the MRU community! -
Hi there! My name is Nick and I’m in my final year of Broadcast Media Studies. I signed up for the Stepping Up program because I saw it as a golden opportunity to learn more about what it means to be in a healthy relationship, meet new people, and make a positive impact on campus life by helping others. -
My goal is to make a positive change, no matter how small it may be. Consequently, I found this program and joined it, becoming a member of a group that is committed to addressing stigmatized and taboo issues. This not only provides professional experience but further reinforces my passion to guide and help others. -
Hi! I'm Sarah, I’m new to Mount Royal but a third year social work student and not new to nonjudgmental listening. I joined Stepping up to help everyone further the respect we have for each other through better communication. -
Hi, I’m Soren, I’m a second year student in the BSW program here at Mount Royal. This is my second year as a Peer Facilitator in Stepping UP too! The idea of learning skills drew me into the program and the student-driven learning about vital social issues has me coming back for more. -
My name is Tyler and I am currently in my first year of the Social Work Diploma. I plan on attaining my Masters in Social Work so that I can help others with Mental Health, especially addictions. I am grateful to be in the Stepping Up program so that I can re-learn what I was and was not taught as a child and young adult about the important topics Stepping Up covers.
If you have any questions or would like more information about anything on this page, please email Julia Rand at jrand@mtroyal.ca.
This program has a research component that has received clearance from the MRU Human Research Ethics Board at HREB at hreb@mtroyal.ca.
The information on this web page is intended for the Mount Royal community: students, staff and faculty.
Many thanks to the Government of Alberta, Ministry of Human Services for continued funding of the Stepping UP program.