WILMINGTON, N.C. -- More than 600 people have signed a petition to change the way bars handle sexual assault on the coast.

After hearing stories about unwanted groping from a friend, UNC Wilmington student Elise Yost started a petition to get bars in New Hanover County to post her flyer.

The flyer details that touching without consent is a crime and is something that happens far too often.

"I'm really hoping to decrease the amount of unwanted sexual touching that goes on in bars, but also I want to send a message that any sort of unwanted sexual touching is never okay regardless of how big or small the action is" says Yost.

Director of Collaboration for Assault Response and Education or Care, Jen Adler, educates students to speak out when they see someone going through an uncomfortable situation.

"So training people to, if you see that happening to someone else, to step in and do something about it. We use a soar model, see a problem, overcome obstacles, assume responsibility and respond," mentions Adler.

So far Yost has heard back from one Wrightsville Beach bar that has agreed to post her flyer. 

She says she will continue to reach out to more bars to help make a change. 

To find out more about Yost's petition click here.