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During PRIDE month, we have an opportunity to explore new ways to support LGBTQ youth who experience assault at an exponentially higher rate than heterosexual teens. Unfortunately, the added challenge for teens who identify as queer is lack of family support. In a survey of more than ten thousand teens, those who identified as LGBTQ plus listed tolerance and their family situation as the things they would most like to change in their lives.
Read MoreSteps Teens Can Take to Protect Themselves
In the wake of the Uvalde massacre, the nation continues to reel in despair over what feels like an unstoppable horror given the political stand-off over gun control. Recent reports indicate the number one cause of death for children, more than disease, more even than car accidents, is gun violence. Of course, guns are not the only type of violence children have to manage at school. For middle school and high school students, the issue of safety becomes ever-more complex as students report an increase in sexual harassment and assault at school …
Read MoreNationwide Student Walkouts Show We’ve Not Come Far Enough in Addressing Sexual Violence
The close of 2021 saw student walkouts take place across the country, as young people demanded that schools take sexual violence seriously, end the pattern of victim blaming that often attends the aftermath of assault, and do better by its students in providing a safe educational environment. Given the fact that most teenagers report they do not have conversations at home on the subject of sexual ethics, an issue that was already at epidemic proportion is now coming to bear in an atmosphere where safety is seen as a given: school.
Read MoreA Teacher’s Perspective on Giving Teens a Voice
When I taught my first program, I worried the material would be uncomfortable- that teens would squirm listening to me talk about sex and safety in relationships. I worried I would quickly become the “freaky sex lady” who made them discuss topics like pornography, peer pressure, toxic relationships and boundaries- all very personal subjects. Bracing myself, I opened with the line I open every class with: “You are the creator of your destiny and master of your life. My goal in this class is to help you be best version of YOU that you can be.”
Read MoreSexual Ethics and Child-Centered Parenting
Psychologist Jennifer Delgado refers to three primarily challenging aspects of children who are products of snowflake culture: hyper-protection; an exaggerated sense of self; and insecurity and catastrophism. Young people who’ve been taught to believe that they are special and important, are likely to assess that their feelings and desires are special and important too, making it doubly difficult to make decisions based on others’ needs rather than their own.
Read MoreAnd Manage Their Social Lives Online
Most parents, even if their teens are as young as middle school-age, are aware that the social scene for young people is different now than in any previous generation. Which is why, at a time when families should be going to college tours and job fairs, they are also worrying over whether their teen can navigate the social scene in a way that avoids sexual harm to themselves or others.
Read MoreAn Interview with School Admin and Counseling Staff
I recently had the honor of holding a conversation with the team at Camden Hills Regional High School (CHRHS) where the Be Strong, Be Wise Youth program and Train-the-Trainer were delivered. For me, it was a real privilege to learn how particular aspects of the BSBW curriculum will support the needs of students and what this team had to say in response.
Read MoreHow One High School is Responding to Students’ Demands When it Comes to Sexual Assault
After the student walkouts nationwide, including a walkout at Camden Hills, the administrative team at the school took a hard look at its response protocol, education standards, and most importantly, the feedback from students. The school is also implementing each one of the Be Strong, Be Wise programs: our youth program; our train-the-trainer program; and the Strong Leadership program, which provides ongoing support for the first year.
Read MoreA country with the lowest sexual assault rate, what are they doing right?
the Netherlands has the lowest rate of teen pregnancy in the world, as well as the lowest rate of sexual assault. According to the World Data Atlas, in 2015 there were 7.1 incidents of rape per 100,000 people in the Netherlands, whereas 1 out of every 6 American women will be the victim of attempted or complete rape. Why such an extreme disparity between the two countries?
Read MoreAs a mental health counselor, I discuss fear a lot, so that I can also help clients accept it, dance with it and, as Rumi states, “learn how to treat the fear that waits at the door as our guest.” What I’ve been thinking about lately, though, is the relationship we have with our courage. Courage has come to mean a great many things that do not necessarily line-up with everyday life for most people. What then, does that say about the everyday variety of bravery?
Read MoreWhat Gets in the Way of Proactively Protecting Teens?
Discussing assault prevention is tough for many reasons. We can be too precious about the reality of it, and so avoid talking about sexual violence due to fear of making anyone uncomfortable. And we can be too disregarding of it, due to fear of acknowledging just how bad the problem is.
Read MoreA Young Adult’s Perspective On Managing Social Life Online
At 18, Celeste understands that being a young adult in today’s world is no easy thing. In this interview, she candidly shares the difficult aspects of managing screen-life, and its effect on self-image and relationships.
Read MoreBeyond their basic education needs, it’s important for teens to learn about healthy relationships for a number of reasons, since knowing how to create strong connections helps build self-esteem and autonomy in humans. But knowing how to create healthy relationships also helps young people prevent sexual assault.
Read MoreSexual pestering and sexual bullying are two different things. While Title IX officers are saying that sexual pestering (manipulating or pressuring someone to have sex) is on the rise on college campuses, sexual bullying can happen as early as middle school and is becoming a common part of the high school experience.
Read MoreWhat Young People Need to Know
Teaching teens about consent is crucial to their personal empowerment and one of the best ways to arm them against unwanted sexual experiences. However, a recent study shows that nearly 50 percent of teenagers are confused by consent.
Read MoreI know that the idea of talking to your teen about sexual assault can make most adults feel extremely uncomfortable, but having (and normalizing) conversations around sexual ethics, consent, harassment and assault is an essential component to a teen’s ability to make wise choices in the future.
Read MoreThe pandemic taught us to think differently about, well, everything. As we continue to roll out the vaccine, we will likely remain cautious about our health and social practices. But what will re-entry look like for our youth?
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