Statistics show that from 1991-2003 more than half of all victims of rape in South Carolina were middle- and high school-aged youth (Against their Will: Sexual Violence in SC, June 2005). Dating violence is also a harsh reality that many youth face.
In response to these and other issues that youth face, STSM developed the Youth Violence Prevention Program (YVPP). This program is for mddle and high school-aged youth. Utilizing the principals of effective prevention programming, this 6 lesson curriculum covers a wide range of topics geared toward reducing risk and preventing sexual and relationship violence. Trained facilitators use interactive activities, videos, songs, discussion, and lectures to teach youth about gender violence in the media, healthy boundary-setting and communication, on-line safety, dating violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Each lesson lasts approximately an hour to 1 ½ hours and lessons are usually scheduled once/week.
Contact STSM's Community Education Director via email or call 803-790-8208 x 124 to schedule a presentation.
Middle/High School
Lesson Title & Topics |
Objectives
Determinants |
Activities
What activities we might use to engage participants. |
| Lesson 1: The Effect of Gender Stereotypes & Media Influence on Violence in Relationships |
- Expose: Explore stereotypes in society that dictate individual behavior and how it may contribute to violence.
- Learn: Increase awareness of impossible standards created by media and identify other peer and societal pressures.
- Impact: Recognize and discuss the damaging effects of gender stereotypes and explore positive alternatives to overcome peer, societal and media pressures.
|
- “Forbidden, Expected, Allowed”
- “Act Like a Man”/”Be Ladylike”
- Celebrity Couples
- Deconstructing Media
|
| Lesson 2: Appropriate Boundary Setting & Online Victimization & Protection Strategies |
- Expose: Explore physical, personal, & emotional boundaries.
- Learn: Identify personal boundaries and discuss interpersonal aspects that help form boundaries such as: spiritual, relational, emotional, family and school rules.
- Impact: Introduce methods by which individuals can be aware of boundary violations and promote a secure sense of responsibility for personal safety on and off-line.
|
- “My Personal Creed”
- “Personal Space Activity”
- “Personal Boundaries Activity”
- “Internet Safety Activity”
|
| Lesson 3: Effective Communication Strategies |
- Expose: Heighten awareness of personal communication strengths and weaknesses, introduce “I” statements and expressions of emotion and feelings.
- Learn: Review and practice effective communication skills and differentiate between assertive vs. aggressive communication.
- Impact: Increase perception that clear and effective communication is important to building healthy relationships and strong decision making skills.
|
- Attending vs. non-attending Behavior
- Anger Temperature
- “Blind Drawing Activity”
- The WW(W)F Method
|
| Lesson 4: Healthy Relationships and Prevention of Teen Dating Violence |
- Expose: Discuss healthy vs. unhealthy relationships and importance of long-lasting healthy relationships with parent, siblings, clergy, neighbor, and friends.
- Learn: Introduce early warnings of unhealthy relationships. Discuss techniques for reducing risks in relationships. Share statistics related to violence in teen dating relationships.
- Impact: Increase awareness of personal values and the effects an unhealthy relationship can have on self-esteem and other aspects of personal well-being.
|
- Power and Control Wheel Activity
- Choose Respect Video
- “Healthy/Unhealthy Scenario Activity”
- Values Activity
- Defining My Friends
|
Lesson 5: Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Stalking (HS)/
Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Bullying (MS) |
- Expose: Define sexual harassment as a legal problem for students.
- Learn: Identify differences between sexual harassment and flirting/playing around. Discuss protective measures and protocol to reporting each crime. Share effects of these crimes on victims and survivors.
- Impact: Increase knowledge of severity and prevalence of these crimes and well as students’ capacity to understand personal rights in and out of school settings.
|
- Sexual Harassment vs. Flirting
- “Red Light, Green Light Activity”
|
| Lesson 6: Prevention of Sexual Assault, SC Laws and Date Rape Drugs (Date Rape Drugs portions for HS only) |
- Expose: Identify prevalence, statistics of crime, demographics of victims and survivors. Substance facilitated sexual assault and date rape will be covered for high school audiences only.
- Learn: Explore SC laws, penalties, and the different forms of sexual assault.
- Impact: Increase knowledge of the sexual assault and victims’ rights. Increase awareness about prevention efforts. Increase knowledge of how to be a positive bystander.
|
- Sexual Assault Awareness Quiz
- “Annie’s and Bill’s Stories”
- Date Rape Scenario
|
