PREVENTION
Project R.E.S.T. staff are trained experts in providing education, training, and prevention programs to youth and adults. We believe in starting early with youth by implementing multi-session prevention programs that promote healthy relationships and bystander intervention. Our goal is to eliminate the root causes of domestic and sexual violence by stopping it before it occurs. By engaging youth in prevention efforts, we believe it will help to change social norms and attitudes that tolerate and condone violence.
How Do We Prevent?
Primary prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault is a systematic process promoting healthy environments and behaviors, resulting in the reduction of the likelihood and the frequency of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
Primary Prevention IS NOT:
- A one-time program or event
- One skill-building session
- One protocol
Primary Prevention IS:
- Development of social norms and social environments that create, support, and sustain positive behaviors and healthy relationships
- Promotion of comprehensive and multidisciplinary approaches to preventing violence against women and girls before it occurs by impeding the development of perpetrators
Youth Prevention Programs
Did you know that Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults occur to children ages 17 and under. 1 in 5 tweens knows a victim of dating violence. 1 in 10 teens (11-18 years old) said a romantic partner had prevented them from using a cell phone. One in four girls and one in six boys is sexually abused before the age of 18?
To prevent further occurrence of dating & sexual violence in our community we must reach out to those who are most at risk — our youth. Every person can work to prevent sexual and dating violence by promoting healthy and positive relationships that are based on respect, safety, and equality. Project R.E.S.T. offers a variety of workshops and programs for children and teens to prevent dating violence and sexual abuse and assault.
The best way to protect young people from sexual violence is to offer primary violence prevention education. Primary prevention means that instead of focusing on risk reduction or getting help after an assault occurs, these programs identify factors and behaviors that can lead to violence and work to modify them before violence occurs.
Project R.E.S.T. programs comply with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, the SC Comprehensive Health Education Act, and Erin’s Law. We offer a variety of programs and utilize several different curriculums that are appropriate for different age groups.
Here are some of the programs/curriculum’s we offer our youth:
Elementary School
Building Healthy Relationships
A skills-based curriculum centered on reducing bullying and building healthy relationship skills.
Middle School
Expect Respect
The Expect Respect Program is a research-based program for preventing teen dating violence and promotes healthy relationships for youth in middle and high school.
Girl Circle
Girl Circle is an evidence-based program and structured support group for girls and gender-expansive youth from 9-18 years which integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training. Designed to increase positive connection, strengths, and competence in girls.
High School
Expect Respect
The Expect Respect Program is a research-based program for preventing teen dating violence and promotes healthy relationships for youth in middle and high school.
Girl Circle
Girl Circle is an evidence-based program and structured support group for girls and gender-expansive youth from 9-18 years which integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training. Designed to increase positive connection, strengths, and competence in girls.
College
Bringing in the Bystander
BITB is an evidence-based bystander intervention program. Instead of focusing on the roles of perpetrators or victims, BITB uses a community responsibility approach. It teaches skills to help bystanders safely intervene in instances where sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking may be occurring or risk of occurring while aiming to create a culture of support and respect.
Prevention Strategies include:
- Focus on changing norms to change behavior
- Foster comprehensive and integrated systems for prevention
- Engage community leadership / be responsive to community needs and strengths
- Promote and model positive behaviors
- Invites men as stakeholders
- Emphasize role of bystander intervention
- Focus on risk factors and protective factors
Prevention Programs Available in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union County:
- Primary Prevention for K-5, Middle, and High School
- Bystander Intervention on Campus or Community
- Campus Sexual Assault Prevention
- Community Health Fairs
- School Health Fairs
- Community, Civic, and Religious Groups
- Professional Training
