RPEs: Relationship Peer Educators
Relationship Peer Educators (RPEs) have been trained to provide preventive and developmental education to the Holy Cross community on issues of sexual assault, violence, harassment, and the promotion of healthy relationships. In addition, these students are trained as informed resources and referral agents for students struggling with any of these issues on a personal level.
The essential goal of the Relationship Peer Education program is to assist in the vitality of the institution by making available to all members of the Holy Cross Community a variety of student-presented developmental programs with an emphasis on primary prevention through education. At present, the Relationship Peer Education program is the only formalized student group on campus that provides regular, College-wide programming on issues relevant to gender, race, and sexuality, and their interactions with intolerance, harassment and violence.
View a photo of this year's RPEs ยป
What type of training do Relationship Peer Educators have on these issues?
Training of peer educators is done in two primary phases and is ongoing.
Phase 1, or Common Phase Training, involves the development by participants of helping skills common to and necessary for all peer educator roles, regardless of program affiliation.
Phase 2, or Content Phase training, allows the relationship Peer Educators to develop a deeper understanding of the issues relevant to their educational programming and positions as effective referral sources across campus.
How do Relationship Peer Educators spread their message to the community?
The primary role of the Relationship Peer Educators is to produce quality educational programs at the campus-wide and living unit level around the issues of intolerance, harassment and violence as they are manifested in the various social, academic and working environments within our community.
Are Relationship Peer Educators student counselors?
No. Relationship Peer Educators maintain an educational and consultative role in the community, in contrast to that of a professional counselor. They do act as well-informed referral sources for individuals who may seek advice, assistance or counsel of a helping professional, either on- or off-campus.
How can I get in touch with a Relationship Peer Educator?
You may contact a Relationship Peer Educator directly or you may contact Dr. Matt Elliott (Coordinator; melliott@holycross.edu) in the Counseling Center.
Who have the Relationship Peer Educators worked with in the past?
Primarily Resident Assistants, but also faculty, the First-Year Program, Students for Responsible Choices, N.E.E.D. Educators, the Black Student Union, men's varsity basketball, Worcester Academy, Shrewsbury H.S., and the Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts.
How does one become a Relationship Peer Educator?
In the early spring, the Program Coordinator sends a letter to students introducing the Relationship Peer Education Program, and describes the role of the Peer Educator along with an invitation to apply for the position. The Project Coordinator and current RPEs then review applications, interview all candidates who provide completed applications, and make selections. Selection is competitive.
Programs that have been done in the past:
- Breaking the Silence: Sexual Assault and Rape on the College Campus
- Conflict and Consent in Relationships
- "Hooking-up" at Holy Cross
- "Dreamworlds" Video: Desire/Sex/Power in Rock Videos
- Everything You Want to Know About the Opposite Sex
- Gender Differences
- Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
- Leaving Holy Cross: Where do we go from here?
- Long Distance Relationships
- Homesickness
- Multiculturalism at Holy Cross
- Open Forums on Different Topics (e.g. Stress, Relationships)
- Other videos that can be incorporated into a discussion
- Racism
- Rape Myths
- Self-Esteem