Written by Alex Kabat, Advocacy Center Campus Educator
In the search for support, education, and action against sexual violence, the EAAA program stands out as a statistically successful approach. This year, Cornell University is leading local efforts that will benefit campus communities and Tompkins County alike.
Flip the Script with EAAA is an evidence-based sexual violence intervention program designed for college students of all sexual identities who identify as women. The Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act (EAAA) modules include research-based methods that aim to provide women with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves against sexual and relationship violence.
The curriculum is delivered by two extensively trained female-identifying facilitators, and content is both interactive and trauma-informed throughout four sets of three hour sessions. Workshops include mini-lectures, audio and video clips, games, small and large group activities, and 2 hours of empowerment self-defense.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, Cornell University has committed to piloting the EAAA program with sorority members, as well as a parallel program for men in fraternities. Cornell’s Sexual Harassment & Assault – Response & Education (SHARE) Office, within the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives, is leading training sessions for program facilitators.
“Cornell’s comprehensive approach to addressing sexual violence includes seven key pieces, including both educational initiatives and culture change strategies. EAAA is a powerful example of both,” says Laura Weiss, Program Director for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy at Cornell University. “Our current pilot with sorority members will enhance efforts to reduce sexual violence within a population disproportionately impacted by its harms.”
Laura Weiss and colleague Perdita Das, Assistant Dean of Hans Bethe House, completed EAAA’s Train-the-Trainer workshops at the Canadian SARE Center in 2018. They piloted the EAAA program twice in 2019 and 2020 before the pandemic halted on-campus training. Now, the program has returned with new beginnings: under their guidance, 6 facilitators are preparing to deliver EAAA this year.
Weiss regards the newest cohort as “some of the warmest, smartest, and most capable role models imaginable,” and recognizes that “together they have devoted hundreds of hours of time and talent to learning this complex program.”
In June 2025, after completing content-centered training sessions, this year’s EAAA facilitators immersed themselves in self-defense skills. The cohort was led through two full days of WenDo training by instructor Kristi Taylor. “I am thrilled to see EAAA coming back to Cornell,” said Taylor. “It is rare to find a sexual assault prevention tool that has demonstrated its ability to actually reduce the experiences of rape and attempted rape.”
WenDo Women’s Self Defense is a Canada-based program designed and taught by women for those who identify as women and girls. These sessions are led through a feminist, anti-oppression, empowerment framework, and are designed for women of all ages, abilities, and body types. A crucial element of this program is the rejection of victim blaming and “rule setting”: the goal is that participants leave prepared instead of shamed.
“As a WenDo Self Defense Instructor, I am always honored to work with students to help them connect with their voices, inner power, and strength. True self defense goes far beyond physical techniques and instead challenges the messages that we are responsible for the violence we experience and aren’t smart or strong enough to protect ourselves,” said Taylor. “This cohort of EAAA Facilitators at Cornell are powerful and compassionate. I know they will bring this program to life and have a true impact on the campus community.”