“Unfortunately the topic of rape and sexual violence is extremely relevant for our students as many of the young people that I work with have experienced rape or sexual abuse in the past. The information and permission that RPE provides to young people about their right to say no, how to keep themselves safe, how to report suspicious behaviour and how to safely intervene in potentially harmful situations is vital to stop the continuation of rape in our communities.” School Counsellor
BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect are two unique education programmes for young people; both focus on the prevention of sexual violence and the promotion of healthy, respectful relationships.
Sexual violence is a significant issue for young people in NZ with 1 in 4 females and 1 in 8 males experiencing sexual abuse, most before the the age of 16.
Through information & skills-based education, the BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect programmes aim to empower young people to prevent sexual violence and provide support to those who may have already experienced it in their lives.
The BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect programmes have been active in the greater Auckland area for almost a decade and we have built a very positive reputation for both the content that we deliver and our care for student safety and well-being.
How the BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect Programmes Work
The programmes are currently delivered in secondary schools within the Auckland Region and to students in years 9-13. We also deliver the programme in alternative education centres, community youth groups, treatment facilities and residential settings.
It is ideal for co-ed and single sex groups, as the and Sex ‘n’ Respect programmes are designed for delivery to both males and females. The programmes are easily adapted to meet the needs of students/groups according to age, culture or specific issues young people may be facing.
BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect are run as a series of three, in-class workshops which aim to teach young people about sexual violence and how to prevent it.
Current BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect Programme Outlines:
Workshop 1 includes:
- Definitions and legal aspects of sexual violence
- Exploring the myths of sexual violence
- Understanding Sexual Consent (& common situations of non-consensual sex)
- Discussing respectful sexual behaviour
- Discussing personal safety
- Expanding student knowledge of prevention
Workshop 2 includes:
- Sexual pressure and safety in sexual relationships
- Gaining and giving consent for sexual activity
- Discussing respectful sexual relating
- What to do in a crisis situation
- Safe bystander intervention
- Understanding Dynamics of abuse
- Discussing abuse in childhood: how to tell/get help
Workshop 3 includes:
- Healing from sexual abuse
- Responding to disclosures of sexual violence in a helpful way
- Helping someone else who has experienced sexual violence
- How perpetrators of sexual violence can take stop their behaviour
- Answering anonymous student questions about sexual violence
Working with Your Curriculum
The full BodySafe or Sex ‘n’ Respect programme works well within year 9, 10 and 11 as it incorporates many strands of learning from within the Health and Physical Education curriculum, including:
- A3: Safety and Risk Management
- A4: Personal Identity and Self Worth
- C 1-3: Relationships with Other People
- D1-4: Healthy Communities and Environments
Sex ‘n’ Respect Parties
We also offer one-off specialised workshops to address important issues around alcohol and sexual violence. These workshops are tailored for older students who have already participated in either the BodySafe or Sex ‘n’ Respect programme. These workshops are perfect in preparation for school ball season! More…
Looking forward to the Year Ahead
2011 has been busy for us as requests for the BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect programmes have soared over the past year. The good news is that with more educators on board we can visit more schools than ever before. Our team of educators are dynamic, diverse and experienced with a passion for working with young people to prevent sexual violence.
2012 looks to be taking us all over the Auckland region into many new schools and many that we return to year after year. We deliver across a range of deciles, and work with students of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds, and we are always excited to work with new schools or groups or young people.
Funding & Costs to Schools
BodySafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect are funded through the Ministry of Health, grants from local and national funding agencies, grants from private companies and individual donations.
Our wish is to be able to offer our programme to all schools at no-cost, however currently where possible we appreciate a koha or donation per-class based on what the school is able to contribute. Any donations or payments assist us in responding to more schools & providing our programme to more young people. Please contact the Programmes Coordinator to find out more about kohas and donations.
Bookings and More Information
There is generally a high annual demand for the Bodysafe and Sex ‘n’ Respect programmes so we encourage interested school staff to contact us as early as possible to ensure they can secure their preferred dates.
If you are interested in learning more about the programme and how it can work within your school please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to meet with school staff to discuss the benefits and dynamics of our programme.
For any questions, queries or requests please contact:
Ratika Rai Programmes Coordinator ratika@bodysafe.org.nz Phone (09) 361 2725 Do you work with young people? Would you like professional training about dealing with disclosures and other topics about sexual violence? Visit the Professional Education section to find out more about upcoming courses and trainings related to sexual violence and working with young people and adults. More…
