The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) hosted its All Treats, No Tricks event on Wednesday, Oct. 30. This event was one of the few events run by Violence Intervention Peer, Lex Ruhlen.
The event featured a healthy relationship candy bar, in which students were able to pick out candies that had traits of a healthy relationship printed on the bag. Once people picked out the candies they placed the candy into their own smaller bags to show what they want to prioritize in their own relationships and further the discussion on healthy relationships.
Some of the words featured on the candy bags were, “Compromise,” “Trust,” “Honesty,” “Respect” and more. After going around and filling their bags, students started discussing qualities that they personally need in their own relationships.
Each of the students went around and picked one of the words that was on each candy bag and explained why that specific word was important to them. This fostered an open conversation among the students and let them openly talk about what they view as important in relationships that are healthy.
The conversation on the specific healthy relationship qualities was able to spark a deeper conversation on each student’s personal experiences in their relationships and everything that they have learned. Everyone was able to offer advice to their peers and support them while they shared their experiences.
The event was successful in facilitating the conversation surrounding toxic relationships and the normalization of them in our current culture. Ruhlen said in an interview, “Unhealthy and toxic behaviors are so normalized in today’s society. I feel like we have all gotten used to hearing about controlling and possessive behaviors.”
This event stands as a reminder to those in relationships that they should not have to deal with being mistreated by their partners and also that regardless of their situation, there is a community at Ramapo College that has their back. Ruhlen said, “I hope that this event reminds others of healthy and necessary qualities that they are worthy of receiving in romantic relationships.”
All Treats, No Tricks is one of the many programs the office offers here on campus to give the Ramapo community a chance to create a community that fosters a culture of respect, and consent, encourages intervention and gives hands-on experience with learning about healthy relationships.
For more information about OVP and their events that foster conversations about healthy relationships and interpersonal violence check out their website at https://www.ramapo.edu/csi/ovp/.
oparisi@ramapo.edu
Featured photo submitted by Gracyn Nutt
