Youth Violence Prevention Program (YVPP) - For Middle and High School Youth

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 middle 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 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
  • Netsmartz 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)E Method
Lesson 4: Healthy Relationships and Prevention of Teen Dating Violence
  • Expose: Discuss healthy vs. unhealthy relationships and importance of lempathy to help people in need.
  • Learn: Introduce early warnings of unhealthy relationships. Discuss techniques for reducing risks in relationships. Learn bystander intervention techniques.
  • Impact: Increase awareness of healthy and unhealthy relationships and increase bystander intervention in prevention of dating violence.
  • Empathy Exercise
  • “Healthy/Unhealthy" Activity
  • Case Scenario
Lesson 5: Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Stalking (HS)/
Prevention of Sexual Harassment & Bullying (MS)
  • Expose: Define sexual harassment, bullying and/or stalking as an issue that people of all ages deal with.
  • Learn: Identify the line between "harmless playing" and harassment. Share effects of crimes on victims and survivors. Increase understanding of the need for equality in relationships.
  • Impact: Increase knowledge about sexual harassment and understand bystander intervention approaches toward preventing sexual harassment.
  • Sexual Harassment vs. Flirting
  • “Agree/Disagree/Unsure" Activity
  • Case Scenario
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, the concept of consent and the different forms of sexual assault.
  • Impact: Increase knowledge of bystander intervention strategies and learn South Carolina Criminal Sexual Conduct laws.
  • "Gonna Make It" Song
  • Decision-Making Scenario