A weeklong awareness campaign at Wartburg College will empower individuals to intervene in problem situations and become an “Every|Day Hero.”

Wartburg will host the Every|Day Hero campaign Jan. 14-18. It is an extension of the nationwide RESPONSE ABILITY Project addressing bullying, hazing, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse and assault, and discrimination.

Activities will encourage students, faculty and staff to go beyond bystander behavior and intervene appropriately in problem situations.

“Hazing, for instance, is an ongoing issue and something people often don’t believe they are doing because the definition can be confusing,” said Ashley Lang, Wartburg’s director of campus programming. “The intent behind the activities may be positive, but often the consequences of the actions are not — whether physical, mental or emotional. It’s important to give students the tools to stand up for themselves and safely intervene in situations where people are not able or willing to stand up for themselves.”

Lang and Monica Severson, associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator, have received bystander intervention training and will coordinate the effort with residence hall director Kyle Anderson.

More information about the Every|Day Hero Campaign and the RESPONSE ABILITY Project is available at http://TheHeroPledge.org.