STUDENTS AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE

APRIL: "HAND IN HAND," RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE PREVENTION

SAVE members can strive to prevent relationship violence by educating the public about warning signs, consequences and proactive steps to safeguard possible victims. By focusing on this important topic for the month and approaching the program from three angles: crime prevention, conflict management, and service projects, SAVE members can help thwart this growing area of violence. Relationship violence can cover many areas including dating violence, child abuse, sibling abuse, domestic violence, and interpersonal violence (e.g. between friends). With April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month, relationship violence prevention is a perfect topic to address in your school community. In addition, National Youth Violence Prevention Week is the beginning of this month.

Crime Prevention Activities

• Utilize the Child Abuse Activity with elementary, middle and high school students. Be sure to utilize a resource person for this activity. Suggested resource persons: counselor, law enforcement, or child protective services (SAVE Essentials, Crime Prev. – 23).

• Create a “Know Your Rights” handout for middle and high school students.

• Create and distribute a “Victim’s Rights” pamphlet.

• Create and distribute a tip sheet to inform students about dating violence and resources in the community for additional information.

• Teach students through a workshop and/or an assembly to identify unwanted physical contact (SAVE Essentials, Crime Prev. - 23).

  For more Crime Prevention ideas

Conflict Management Activities

• Visit classrooms and discuss the importance of being a good listener in relationships. Stress importance of good relationships between parents and children, friends, siblings, students and faculty, employers and employees (SAVE Essentials, Conflict Management – 9).

• Perform role-plays to illustrate positive ways to deal with specific relationship situations, such as being bullied, parent conflicts, dating conflicts, etc. (SAVE Essentials, Conflict Management - 1).

• Create drawings, posters or other signs showing that anger is a normal part of life – but violence is not!

• Ask a counselor or social worker to be a meeting speaker and utilize the Dating Violence Lesson Plan (Contact National SAVE for this new publication).

• Invite a domestic violence prevention professional to help students better relate to and aid victims of domestic violence.

  For more conflict management ideas

Service Project Activities

• Continue National Youth Violence Prevention Week Activities (March 29 - April 2)National Youth Violence Prevention Week Website

• Conduct a personal care item drive for the local women’s shelter.

• Conduct a “Teddy for Trauma” drive for abused children.

• Offer baby-sitting services to the local domestic violence shelter.

• Coordinate a fingerprinting afternoon at the local elementary school. Work with local law enforcement and parents to fingerprint young children.

  For more service project ideas

According to recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of four 8th and 9th graders reports being a victim of dating violence. Even more startling, many adolescents do not grasp the seriousness of dating abuse. CDC research shows that a majority of young people think that emotional and verbal abuse are "normal" parts of relationships. To increase positive relationship behaviors and healthy relationships among young people ages 11-14, CDC's Division of Violence Prevention is launching a nationwide campaign entitled, "Choose Respect." For more information about the campaign and how you can help launch it in your community at no cost, visit www.chooserespect.org. The materials on the website include a Teacher's Guide, a Community Action Kit including a section for schools, a downloadable 13 minute video, sample radio and TV PSAs, and fact sheets, among others.

National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere SAVE: Youth Voices... Grown-Up Choices! Toll Free 866-343-SAVE For more information contact cwray@nationalsave.org   /   Copyright 2007