“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”
– Margaret Mead
Prevention Education
At Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center, we are committed at reducing the incidence and prevalence of students who have experienced sexual violence. One of the ways we work towards this goal is through education in our 17-county service region. Our education programs are evidence-based and focus on prevention.
Our education is based on three beliefs:
One
Most people are not violent and do not want the people in their life to get hurt.
Two
Most violence and the precursors to violence take place in the presence of bystanders.
Three
Most people want to keep others safe, but they don’t always know how.
Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center envisions a world where every individual can live a life free from sexual violence. We are committed to supporting & empowering our communities to achieve that vision by preventing it from ever happening in the first place.
We know this work. And we know it starts with our youth.
High School Prevention
Green Dot
One of the programs that our agency utilizes to assist in eradicating sexual violence is Green Dot. Green Dot is a training, a philosophy, and a movement that speaks to all individuals as bystanders. The Green Dot program is implemented in various high schools in our service region. The curriculum consists of trainings to faculty, staff, parents, and students, as well as community connection.
The focus of the trainings and presentations is to discuss the reality of power-based personal violence (sexual violence, partner violence, bullying, and stalking) and how we as bystanders have the power to prevent it. Throughout Green Dot, conversations occur that are focused on how to equip our communities with the skills and knowledge necessary to become active bystanders and how to change societal norms around violence.
The Green Dot program has seen significant success in increasing bystander responses. Recently, a 5-year study was conducted in the Kentucky schools that have implemented Green Dot. Researchers found that at these schools, the incidence of sexual violence decreased between 17-21%.
Middle School Prevention
It’s My Space
Ampersand is searching for a suitable middle school to pilot our violence prevention education program: It’s My Space, an age-appropriate education program focused on healthy relationships, boundaries, and communication.
It’s My Space is adapted from an evidence-based middle school prevention strategy designed to reduce the incidence and prevalence of relationship violence and sexual harassment among young people. The goals of the program are:
1. To help students define the meaning of boundaries and the role of boundaries in friendships and dating/romantic relationships
2. To help students identify violations of their own boundaries and the boundaries of others
3. To help students determine the key elements of a healthy relationship
4. To help school administrators identify spaces in the physical environment of the school where students feel unsafe and create strategies for making those areas safer.
This program will enhance your students’ understanding and application of personal boundaries, skills to evaluate healthy relationships- both romantic and platonic.
This opportunity additionally allows for the school to acquire student- provided data to make changes that promote student sense of safety and minimize opportunities for violence to occur on school grounds. Ampersand is looking for ONE middle school in central Kentucky to partner and pilot this program in the 2021 -2022 school year. Priority will be given according to student population size & diversity, as well as alignment with program values.
Interested in bringing this opportunity to your middle school in 2021? Contact Ariel Norvell, Prevention Coordinator: anorvell@ampersandky.org or 859.618.2313
We’re always happy to answer questions about our prevention work or consult with you about your needs. Contact us: