Prevention Education Programs

Our Prevention Education programs focus on building skills in assertiveness, communication, and decision making so that individuals will know how to reduce their risk from becoming a victim of sexual violence. We will customize our programs according to the needs of the audience and make them age-appropriate. The topics are presented to individuals of all ages in schools, daycares, churches, and the community.  

We also offer Community Education to raise awareness about topics related to sexual violence.  These are designed for the community at large. This includes, but is not limited to, church, civic organizations, social services, hospitals, businesses, and parent groups.

Following is a brief overview of our educational programs. A variety of videos, activities, role-plays, and handouts are used to keep the audience involved and interacting. All programs and materials are provided free of charge. A program can be scheduled by calling our office in Springfield or Jacksonville.

Professional Training
Specialized training is offered to professionals who may come in contact with a sexual assault survivor. Law enforcement, health care providers, social workers, educators, counselors, clergy, and other practitioners will often want to develop their skills in this area. We offer programs that will increase your knowledge about sexual violence, post traumatic stress disorder, and victim response.

Face to Face
Recommended Ages: Grades 6 & 7
This five session program for junior high students uses fun activities and group discussion to help young people deal with peers and reduce their risk of being a victim. All students receive a work packet. Topics discussed are:

	Assertive Communication
	Media Messages
	Healthy Relationships & Personal Boundaries
	Personal Safety (home, street, babysitting, social, and Internet)

Positive Relations
Recommended Ages: Grades 7 & 8
As students get older and become more independent, they will be facing situations that may concern their safety. It is important that young people learn to become responsible for keeping themselves safe when they are not under the supervision of adults. Dating relationships are particularly new to young teens, and many do not know what to expect in a healthy relationship. An emphasis is placed on assertive communication and where to get help for unhealthy and unsafe relationships. This five session program uses a work packet, activities, role-playing, and videos to reinforce discussion on the following topics:

	Sexual Harassment
	Conflict Resolution
	Healthy Relationships
	Dating Violence
	Personal Safety (home, street, babysitting, social, and Internet)

Sexual Assault
Recommended Ages: Teen--Adult
The legal definition and what "consent" means, statistics, and myths about sexual assault are presented.  How acquaintance/date rape differs from stranger rape is also explained.  Information about the procedures for a rape victim to follow, how to support a survivor, and the emotional responses of a survivor are discussed.

Child Sexual Abuse
Recommended Ages: High School--Adult
Facts, statistics, and the stages of child sexual abuse are presented, along with information about offenders and their ploys to engage a child in this conduct. The audience will learn some of the potential physical, behavioral, and psychological behaviors that may be present in a child who is being sexually abused. How to respond to disclosures and support the victim are explained.

Good Touch/Bad Touch/Confusing Touch
Recommended Ages: PreK--Grade 2
Children learn that the private areas of their body are the parts that are covered by a swimsuit.  They learn the safety rules and how to respond assertively to inappropriate touches.  The rules are reinforced through repetition, audience participation, and a puppet show.

Personal Safety
Recommended Ages: All
Safety tips are presented to help people know how they can reduce the risk of being a victim. Areas of focus are the home, street, babysitting, social situations, and on the Internet.

Sexual Harassment
Recommended Ages: Grade 6--Adult
Sexual harassment is defined for school and the workplace. The audience will learn how to identify the behaviors that may be classified as sexual harassment. Also included are the procedures a person should follow if being harassed at school or work.

Date Rape Drugs
Recommended Ages: Teen--Adult
The most common date rape drugs used to intentionally rape someone are discussed. The audience will learn some of the drugs' street names, symptoms that may be experienced, and how to protect themselves from being given a date rape drug unknowingly.

Teen Dating Violence
Recommended Ages: Grade 6--High School
Students will learn to identify the warning signs of a dangerous relationship. Safe dating strategies are discussed, and students find out how to end a dangerous relationship and where to go for help.

Media Messages and Stereotypes
Recommended Ages: Grade 6--Adult
The audience learns how television, movies, music, and advertising can influence our thoughts about women. The way these messages normalize sexual violence and desensitize our way of thinking is discussed.