FYCARE is an interactive workshop designed to provide students with the opportunity to engage in critical conversations around sexual violence and to practice the necessary skills to identify warning signs of violence, interrupt violence, support those who have been harmed, and engage in healthy relationship behaviors. Nationwide, 1 in 5 women will experience a sexual assault during her undergraduate years. Males can be sexually assaulted, too, though at a much lower estimate than women. The perpetrators of these assaults are most often acquaintances—friends, classmates, or dating partners—of the survivor. Despite this, many discussions of sexual violence focus on the ways individuals should protect themselves from strangers. FYCARE, on the other hand, focuses on the ways that all students can be involved bystanders who can look out for the safety of one another.

What will the program be about?

FYCARE workshops focus on the dynamics of sexual violence (sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking), ways to engage as an active bystander, ways to support a survivor, understanding consent, and campus and community resources. Workshops are facilitated by peer educators, specially trained undergraduate students. Facilitators lead students through activities and engaging discussion in a relaxed atmosphere. FYCARE facilitators draw upon their own experiences as students on this campus to keep the workshop informative and entertaining.

Why is this program required?

In an effort to create and maintain a safe campus community, the University of Illinois has mandated that all incoming undergraduate students attend one FYCARE workshop during their first semester on campus, including first-year, transfer, and exchange students. FYCARE evaluations show that the vast majority of attendees found the workshops both interesting and beneficial. We hope students never need to use this information, but statistically, it is likely that they will. Survivors of sexual assault on campus often reach out to their friends, partners, and family members for support and understanding. This makes the workshop invaluable!

What is an "affinity group"?

We recognize that the topics covered in FYCARE may be sensitive for many students, and that they may be more comfortable engaging in these conversations in smaller groups. To meet this need, FYCARE offers a limited number of affinity group workshops throughout the year, which bring together students with shared backgrounds. Participation in these workshops is limited to students who identify with the affinity group. 

During the fall 2024 semester, workshops for the following affinity groups will be offered:

• Black students - Wednesday, October 9th, from 5:15 - 7:15 PM
• Female students - Sunday, October 13, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
• First Generation College students - Monday, October 21st, from 6 - 8 PM
• Latinx students - Wednesday, October 16th, from 5:30- 7:30 PM
• LGBTQ+ students - Thursday, October 24th, from 10 AM - 12 PM
• Transfer students - Monday, October 7th, from 3 - 5 PM

If you are interested in participating in an affinity group workshop, please contact the FYCARE staff directly at fycare@illinois.edu to register. 

How do I register for a workshop?

Click here to register.

If you have questions or concerns about your completion status, please reach out to the FYCARE Staff at fycare@illinois.edu . 

How can I become a workshop facilitator?

Interested in facilitating FYCARE workshops? HK 112 (formerly CHLH 126) is a three-credit hour course offered to all university students that prepares future facilitators of the FYCARE program. For more information, visit Affiliated Courses.

Who can I contact for more information?

The Prevention Staff at the Women’s Resources Center coordinates the First Year Consent and Relationship Education program. If you have any questions, problems, or concerns, please contact the program staff at fycare@illinois.edu or call 217-333-3137.