Program Descriptions
Community Education
In order to heighten public knowledge of dating violence as a prevalent social issue, the Center will distributes educational posters, pamphlets and brochures addressing verbal,emotional, and physical abuse; as well as sexual violence. To supplement these materials, the Center will also conduct theatrical presentations and workshops in middle and high schools, colleges, recreation centers, churches, and local businesses that empower communities to advocate against dating violence. The Center intends to organize public rallies, parades and walk/jog events to further garner support and educate the community.
Clinical Research
The Center will conduct ongoing clinical research, to participate in the national dialogue on violence against young women and intimate partner crimes. Assembling compelling data remains an effective tool in advocacy and promoting community change.
Crisis Intervention Support
The Dating Violence Prevention Center is committed to providing urgent care for young women in need. The Center intends to provide a 24-hour crisis hotline via telephone. Additionally, the Center will offer individual therapy and support groups, as a means to increase coping skills and self-esteem. Young women will also receive ongoing support through recovery seminars and psychoeducational workshops that emphasize safety planning.
He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not
www.helovesmenot.org will be, an online resource center containing information and interactive platforms to help young women determine if their relationships are destructive.The site will also include a live crisis chat line, a comprehensive collection of research; downloadable pamphlets and brochures; video and blogging features; and training tools for Peer Education Leaders.
I SAID NO!
“I SAID NO” empowers young women to protect themselves against date and acquaintance rape, by providing self-defense workshops.
Peer Education Leaders
Victims of dating violence often find solace and support in their peers. When female high school students were asked whom they would talk to about abusive relationships, 86% said they would confide in a friend, while only 7% said they would talk to police. The Dating Violence Prevention Center’s Peer Education Leaders Program (PEL) will be an 8 week training course for high school students that provide its graduates with the tools to educate their peers on dating violence. Participants (both female and male) will learn about the hallmarks of healthy and unhealthy relationships. They will also be trained in crisis line support and public speaking. Peer educators will commit to organizing display tables at their schools and representing the Center at community events.
Peer Advocates
The Center’s Peer Advocates are college students who will serve as mentors to the high school students in the PEL Program. Peer Advocates teach the PEL training curriculum and create meaningful relationships with younger students to help guide and counsel them. On college campuses, the Peer Advocates will work to raise awareness on date rape. According to the American Association of University Women, 20-25% of women are raped during their college career. Peer Advocates provide educational workshops to college-aged men and women, with a focus on fraternities, sororities and residence halls. The goals of these workshops include improving awareness of rape, dispelling rape myths, improving sexual communication, and reducing commonly held beliefs that condone coercive sexual behavior and unhealthy relationships.
Sign the MADE petition
To ensure that every middle and high school is teaching a curriculum that addresses
dating abuse.
Make a monetary donation
We need financial support from the community in order to successfully launch our programs and combat brutality against young women.
Or send your gift to:
P.O. Box 44462, Atlanta, GA, 30336.