Prevention Programs Addressing Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault
Classroom sessions can be specially designed to address any situation involving intimate partner violence or sexual assault, and adapted to meet the needs of any group. No group is too small or too large. All educational outreach programs are free to the public. Intimate Partner Violence 101 A one hour session designed to promote awareness of the warning signs of an abusive relationship, the characteristics of an abuser, effects of trauma, statistical information about the scope of the problem, resources available to victims, and ways to help a friend. This session can be adapted to meet the needs of any group, ages 13 and up, recommended for service providers as well. Sexual Assault Awareness 101 A one hour session designed to promote awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault, examine widely held societal myths and a culture of victim blaming, tips for risk reduction, effects of trauma, how to help a friend, and resources for victims. This session can be adapted to meet the needs of any group, ages 13 and up, recommended for service providers as well. Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Children This one hour session is designed for parents, teachers and other service providers. It looks at the scope of the problem, short and long term effects on children, the intergenerational pattern of violence, and resources for children and families. Screen to End Abuse This one hour session is for medical providers on screening for intimate partner violence. It consists of video role plays, examples of various screening tools, information on the signs of an abusive relationship, long term effects of trauma, and resources for victims. Highly recommended for all medical clinic staff. Progression of an Abusive Relationship a/k/a How to Go from Great to Warning Signs This hour long interactive session calls on the group to define all the qualities of the perfect partner. Examples of how those qualities then play out in a relationship and how they can change over time to become controlling are discussed. This session takes a look at the subtle precursors to violence and abuse. Violence against Women: A continuum of harm An hour long interactive exercise, this session is a societal step back originally developed by the Men Can Stop Rape group. It looks at all the many factors that contribute towards a culture of violence against women.
MVP Program – Mentor’s in Violence A gender specific, one and a half hour program designed by Northeastern Univ. Sport in Society to be used with high school and collegiate athletes. The 4 main goals of the MVP program are: • Raise awareness of participants about he level of men’s verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse of women. • Challenge thinking by countering mainstream messages about gender, sex and violence. • Open dialogue by creating a safe environment for men and women to share their opinions and experiences.
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Inspire leadership by empowering participants with concrete options to effect change in their respective communities.
Multi-Session Programming
Violent Connections: How society impacts our relationships? 5 one hour sessions Key Terms: • Dating Violence • Healthy Relationships • Gender roles and stereotypes • Control • A Culture of Victim Blaming • Abuse • Respect • Sexual Boundaries and consent • Grades 8 +, recommended for at-risk youth and teen parents • Gender specific, facilitator oriented Objectives: To recognize the signs of verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse in relationships and the reasons behind it. Become more aware of the nature of controlling, abusive personalities and the tactics they use with intimate partners or acquaintances. Examine the societal view of victims and perpetrators, as well as the role of bystanders, and our roles as individuals to address and curb violence in our culture. Break the cycle of abuse. Description: The gender specific program consists of five 1-hour sessions using interactive exercises, educational videos and media clips, role playing, statistical information, peer opinion, and current events to promote awareness about the dynamics of an abusive, controlling relationship. It also examines gender roles and the media’s influence on the increase of violence in our culture, as well as the damage violence does, not only to its victims, but on our society as a whole. The healthy relationship section takes a look at the components and benefits of a healthy relationship, as well as a personal inventory of the qualities each participant would want in a partner, and what behaviors they would find acceptable or unacceptable in a relationship.
The Dating Game
2 or 3 sessions depending on class length Key Terms: • Dating Violence • Healthy Relationships • Sexual Boundaries • Characteristics of an Abuser • Avoiding an abusive relationship • Leaving an abusive relationship • Resources for victims • Grades 8 +, easily adapted to Univ. students or adult groups.
Objectives: Promote awareness about controlling abusive personalities, the warning signs and progression of an abusive relationship, the effects on victims, how to help a friend, resources for victims, and the roles of bystanders. Create a greater understanding of what a healthy relationship is, and what each participant needs from an intimate partner. Description: This program can be done gender specific or coed and consists of two or three sessions, depending on class length. It uses a contemporary dating violence video, with stories from real teens, interactive exercises identifying abusive behaviors, statistical information and resources, a group facilitated exercises on the progression of an abusive relationship, and identifying the qualities each participant is looking for in a relationship, as well as the behaviors they would find unacceptable.