More than 40 students marched across campus today to raise awareness about societal violence on campus as part of the weeklong “Enough is Enough” campaign.

The march started at the Residence Hall Quad and ended at the University Union’s Hinde Auditorium, where speaker Jessica Heskin, coordinator of the Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services Program, spoke about violence prevention on campus.

Heskin said the campaign has been long overdue, considering how many universities have ignored the unpopular issue of violence. She said even a small altercation between two students can evolve into a disaster if not handled and mediated quickly.

“If we can give students a social platform, then we can try and avoid situations where vulnerable students do something harmful to others and themselves,” Heskin said.

“Enough is Enough” is a National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, or NASPA, campaign to stop societal violence. Sacramento State is one of many colleges and universities across the country participating in this campaign.

Richard Song, residence life coordinator for housing, said although the march is centered on the campus community, its goal is to help students promote anti-violence everywhere.

“The goal of the campaign is to help stem the tide of violence everywhere it appears and asks colleges and universities to work with community and K-12 partners to work on this problem at all levels,” said Anthony Buono, assistant director of Housing and Residential Life.

Heskin said the basic principle that she tries to instill in her students is the idea of bystander intervention, where people intervene whenever they see something wrong. She said this is a natural responsibility of any human being.

“We are relying on the basic foundation for humanity, which involves being a naturally helpful person by opening doors or helping a friend, in hopes that it will make this process useful,” Heskin said. “In order to get to the root of violence prevention, you have to genuinely care about the other person.”

Ricky Alejandro can be reached at [email protected].