NCJ Number
189334
Date Published
2000
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This guide, which was developed by a multidisciplinary group of experts in the field of sexual assault, is designed to help adults who routinely interact with middle-school students in designing new sexual assault prevention programs and revising existing programs to reflect emerging developments in the field.
Abstract
In Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education (1999), the U.S. Supreme Court held that school boards may be liable for damages if they fail to act on known harassment that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive. This has prompted schools and communities to expand their current capacity to counter sexual violence against and among youth under their care and supervision. This guide provides information that will help communities design promising prevention programs for middle-school students or evaluate existing programs. A section on the "characteristics of promising programs" notes that promising programs are comprehensive in their handling of the subject matter; feature intensive, long-term, and interactive teaching approaches; are relevant to those receiving the instruction; and contain positive messages about healthy relationships and what can be done for people who have been victimized by sexual assault. The guide then proceeds to explain how to develop programs with these characteristics. It also contains an example of the process one State followed in designing and implementing sexual assault prevention education programs for middle-school students. A resource section profiles the various organizations that can provide information and funding for sexual assault prevention programs that target children and youth.