FYCARE First Year Consent and Relationship Education

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What is FYCARE?

The First Year Consent and Relationship Education (FYCARE) workshop is an interactive discussion on campus sexual assault, required for all first-year undergraduates. National studies have shown that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men will experience an actual or attempted sexual assault during their undergraduate career. Perpetrators are most often acquaintances – friends, classmates, or dating partners – of the victim. FYCARE focuses on the ways that all students can be involved bystanders and caring supporters who can look out for one another.

FYCARE is among our campus education programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, stalking which are culturally relevant, inclusive of diverse communities and identities, sustainable, responsive to community needs, and informed by research, or assessed for value, effectiveness, or outcome; and consider environmental risk and protective factors as they occur on the individual, relationship, institutional, community and societal levels.

What will the program be about?

FYCARE workshops focus on the dynamics of sexual assault, ways to support a survivor, understanding consent, and campus and community resources. The majority of workshops are held in residence halls. Trained peer facilitators lead students through an engaging discussion in a relaxed atmosphere, drawing upon their own experiences as students on this campus to keep the workshop informative and entertaining. FYCARE recognizes that sexual assault is a crime rooted in gender inequality, but also one that affects people of all genders.

Why is this program mandatory?

In an effort to create and maintain a safe campus community, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has mandated that all students attend a FYCARE workshop during their first semester on campus. Evaluations show that the vast majority of past attendees found the workshops beneficial. Because survivors of sexual assault on campus often reach out to their friends, partners, and family members for support and understanding, the workshop will be invaluable.

What's the history of the program?

The program became mandatory in the fall of 1996, in large part due to a grassroots effort from students in response to campus events. Peer institutions frequently look to the FYCARE program as a model for similar programs. Regular evaluations find that FYCARE participants are affected positively in terms of their knowledge about rape and support for survivors. Each year, the FYCARE program undergoes revisions to stay on the cutting edge of sexual assault prevention research as well as the student needs of this campus.

How do I register for a workshop?

If you are required to attend FYCARE, you will receive an email from the Dean of Students prior to the beginning of the semester in which you need to attend. The e-mail will include a link to register or reschedule if needed. FYCARE workshops are only offered during the early weeks of the semester, so schedule ASAP! In case of a conflict, you should reschedule promptly as there are no make-up dates later in the semester for FYCARE. Visit the FYCARE registration page. If you have difficulty registering, please email fycare@illinois.edu.

How can I become a workshop facilitator?

Community Health (CHLH) 126: CARE (Campus Acquaintance Rape Education) is a three credit hour course offered to all university students that prepares future facilitators of the FYCARE program. Visit academic course offerings for more information.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have any questions, problems, or concerns, please contact the program staff at fycare@illinois.edu or (217) 333-3137.