Programs in Niagara

Public Education Programs: Secondary/Post-Secondary

Sexual harassment

Students are taught to recognize behaviours that are sexual harassment and what steps to take if they are targeted in the workplace, at school or on-line.  The program includes a documentary on teens who experienced harassment at their first jobs and current examples in the media. For co-op and gym classes.

Legal issues

Detectives from the sexual assault unit of the Niagara Regional Police assist with the program and respond to questions about their investigations.  Using high profile cases, including those in Niagara, students learn about consent, the role of alcohol, the court process and consequences for convicted offenders. Prevention strategies are also covered. For law and social sciences classes.

Dating violence/sexual assault

Topics include warning signs of an abusive relationship, myths and realities of sexual assault issues, the role of alcohol and drugs, consent, prevention and bystander strategies.  A film on an acquaintance rape trial involving teens is shown and the class is asked to play the role of the jury in deciding the verdict. For gym, youth- at- risk groups and alternative classes.

The Undetected Rapist

Based on the research of American psychologist Dr. David Lisak, this program deals with premeditated sexual assaults by males who target younger, naïve females using charm and alcohol to gain their trust.  These perpetrators commit a large number of sexual assaults, but they are never reported. Students are taught to recognize this type of offender and how to protect themselves and their friends.  They also learn about the reasons for this behaviour, and what makes victims vulnerable. A film clip of an offender describing his techniques and a documentary/drama in a college setting are shown. For any grade 12 classes i.e. gym, religion, sociology, family studies.

Risky sexual behaviour

This program is for grade 9 girls to help them deal with peer and dating pressure to be sexually active, coupled with their desire to fit in and be ‘popular’ as they begin high school. Discussion topics include the physical risks and psychological consequences of casual sex and ‘friends with benefits’ – the ‘double standard’, sexually transmitted infections spread through oral sex, and the possible loss of self-esteem.  Stereotypical images of females in media and music culture, a film on young teens engaging in high-risk behaviour, and an opportunity to ask anonymous, written questions are also part of the program. For grade 9 girls’ gym classes.

Boys’ issues

This program covers sexual abuse of young boys as well as current issues in their lives related to dating – understanding of consent, the impact of viewing pornography and playing violent, misogynist video games on relationships and attitudes toward girls, and consequences of sharing naked pictures with their peers. Using scenarios in small group work, the boys are encouraged to be good bystanders and call out their peers if they see disrespectful or sexually aggressive behaviour. The goal is to enlist boys as allies in preventing sexual assaults and encourage them to seek help if they, or someone they know, was  a victim of child sexual abuse. Two young male volunteers also participate in the program.  For grade 9 boys’ gym classes.

Child sexual abuse

This program provides an awareness of the prevalence of child sexual abuse and incest by perpetrators who are usually known to their victims.  Topics include what makes children vulnerable, why they keep it a secret, tactics used by predators and the impact on the lives of victims. The students will also learn how to talk to children about this subject, possible signs of sexual abuse, prevention strategies, and what to do if a child discloses.  A powerful documentary on adult survivors of child sexual abuse and incest is also shown. A young woman who is an incest survivor tells her story when she is available. For family studies and parenting classes and life skills groups.

To book a presentation or for more information, contact Suzanne Mason at pub.ed@nrsac.org .