Knowledge is Power by The Blue Bench

Prevention education aims to stop sexual violence before it starts. This means addressing contributing factors at every level—individual, relational, community, and societal.

The Knowledge is Power program empowers people to recognize sexually inappropriate behavior, intervene in harmful situations, support survivors, and challenge harmful norms that blame, silence, or minimize survivors’ experiences. There will also be small group discussions about harmful situations that have happened within social dance scenes that connects to greater society.

Community Prevention Education means:

• Recognizing that we can all play a role in preventing sexual violence

• Identifying sexually inappropriate behavior and risky situations

• Prospectively identifying potentially harmful situations and encouraging appropriate interventions

• Teaching consent and healthy relationships from a young age

• Challenging victim-blaming, perpetrator apologia, and rape culture

• Responding to survivors and victims with empathy and belief

• Building confidence to speak up and intervene

Cost

In order to maximize accessibility, Swingin' Denver is sponsoring this event and making registration FREE for attendees. Friends & Co Coffee and Rise Comedy Club are waiving rent in return for a $250 beverage minimum. Attendees are encouraged but not required to support our hosts by purchasing coffee or other beverages, burritos or pastries. Any remainder will be covered by Swingin' Denver. When making purchases, please say you're attending this event.

Who We Want In Attendance

This workshop is designed for dancers, musicians and organizers affiliated with Colorado social dance scenes. We are seeking individuals who want to explore building solidarity with each other, developing and learning language to better describe what we’re experiencing and seeing, dismantling patriarchy and other oppressive systems, taking direct action in a way that suits you, providing greater agency, and actively caring for those around you. If you are interested in attending this workshop, this workshop is for you. If you want to make sure, contact us here - https://www.swingindenver.com/contact-us

Safer Spaces

Past violators of our Code of Conduct will be denied access to this event in order to maintain our commitment to Safer Spaces. Regarding the nature of this presentation, The Blue Bench presents with two facilitators in case one needs to step out with an attendee for some one-on-one time in the Nook space.

Registration

We ask that each attendee registers so we can guarantee interested participants a spot. Attendance is capped at 46. We will provide messaging on social media if we'll accept walk-ins.

When to Arrive

We recommend attendees arrive 15-30 minutes early in order to find parking, order a beverage or food item, and find your seat without interrupting the presenters.

What to Bring

Please bring yourselves, your curiosity, a water bottle, notebook and writing instrument.

Parking

Street parking is available along with $5 lot options. This event is on a Sunday so street parking is free.

Seating

Ample seating will be offered inside their Theatre space and we're capping attendance at 46 persons. This room is ADA-accessible and can accommodate a wheelchair.

Ventilation

There is no additional ventilation in this space. Masks will be available if attendees would like one.

Entry Access

The ground level door is non-automated

Recommend Reading (first four books can be found at Shop at Matter, 2 blocks from Rise)

• Unf*ck Your Consent - Dr. Faith Harper

• Sexual Consent - Milena Popova

• Saving Our Own Lives (A Liberatory Practice of Harm Reduction) - Shira Hassan

• The Big Questions Book of Sexual Consent - Donna Freitas

• Consent (for Kids!), Boundaries, Respect, And Being In Charge Of You (seriously, good for the adults) - Rachel Brian

Co-Sponsors

Friends & Co Coffee
Boulder Swing Dance
The Diamond Dolls
The Triplestep