Enhancement and Specialized Curricula

These topics can be presented alone, substituted into our Healthy Relationship Series or used in conjunction with that program in order to enhance concepts.

Gender Images / Media Literacy

Through hands-on analysis of magazines, movies, TV, video games and music, participants delve into the complexities of gender representation in the media and how it fosters vulnerability and supports violence. Critical thinking skills to assess these messages and steps to challenge those that are harmful are explored.  This curriculum begins to address roots sources of violence in society.

“After the presentation, my daughter opened up to me about her relationship for the first time.  She said the presentation from the Women’s Center caused her to think about her relationship critically.  That night my daughter and her father and I all sat down at the kitchen table and discussed what was going on.  She had obviously been struggling with it for some time but didn’t know why or was just ignoring it.”  -Parent of a Henry Abbott Technical School student

Healthy Relationships

This 45 or 90 minute program focuses on the many different attributes that work to make a relationship healthy. The class explores how open communication, equality and boundaries are necessary both in dating relationships and friendships. Teens define what is most important to them in a relationship, how to communicate their personal boundaries, and how to deal with conflict.

Core Skills for Resiliency

This series of four programs explores skills and character traits that protect individuals from developing vulnerability to becoming victims or perpetrators of abuse and that allow them to “bounce back” in the face of adversity or disappointment. Modules include: self-esteem and goal setting; boundaries; conflict resolution and problem-solving; feelings identification and behavior management; and empathy and perspective taking.

Bullying and Relational Aggression

Designed for middle school students, this program defines relational aggression and its dynamics - including bullying, cliques, rumors and backstabbing. Students explore their options to deal with this behavior and how to stop their own bullying behavior. Specific scenarios are discussed to help students recognize bullying situations and analyze how to deal with them.  

“I wish there were programs like this when I was in high school.  I ended up in an abusive marriage because I didn’t know any of the warning signs.  During the presentation, I saw a couple in the class really evaluating the healthiness of their relationship.”   -Teacher at Newtown High School

Internet/Electronic Media Safety

This presentation explores critical thinking and safety planning for using the Internet and other electronic media such as cell phones.  Students learn safety guidelines, signs that someone could be a sexual predator or stalker, risk reduction and actions you can take if you become a victim, and the dangers of moving from on-line to real life encounters. Other online dangers and/or risks discussed include: bullying, sexual harassment, stalking, spamming, sexting and social networking. Two of these topics, Sexting and Techno Bullying (listed below), can be stand-alone, in-depth presentations.

Sexting

This program explores the definition of sexting, the dynamics of sexting and the issue of consent, as well as the impact on the victim when sexts are forwarded without consent.  It also looks at the potential legal consequences to all parties involved in sexting.  Sexting often leads to extreme and prolonged bullying even when, in the initial sext, there is consent.   

Cyber Bullying

This program specifically focuses on how computers and cell phones can be used to increase bullying of an individual, the heightened impact on the victim when this happens, consequences to the perpetrator, and safety planning - including legal remedies - for the victim.

Significant attention is spent on the impact of techno bullying on bystanders.  The program also explores what strategies witnesses can use to help change a school culture that supports this abuse (ex: never forward hate mail, don’t participate in hate polls, respond on line by forwarding a message saying, " I will not participate in bullying,"  etc.).

Campus Safety

Geared to students (and their parents) visiting campuses or going off to college, this workshop explores how to assess campus risks for and safety measures around sexual assault – including hazing, stalking, sexual harassment, date rape drugs and alcohol. This workshop also covers student rights on campus and under the Cleary Act, using self-defense effectively, and proactive risk-reduction by the victim and prevention by the potential perpetrator.

Tackling the Roots of a Violent Culture

This interactive workshop explores the three elements of society that inevitably lead to interpersonal violence.  These elements are:  1) systems of oppression, 2) devaluing of females, and 3) violent definitions of masculinity.   Students learn concrete interventions to challenge these cultural forces.