Sexual Violence Education Programs Presented in Public Schools

Presenter Information

Teresa Parker, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 255

Start Date

27-4-2009 1:00 PM

End Date

27-4-2009 3:00 PM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Laura Pilnick

Mentor's Department

Gender and Women's Studies

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

When offered, sexual violence awareness education taught in public schools is minimal and insufficiently reinforced. The programs schools present fail to provide practical information to children and teens at a level that equates the actual offenses committed. This study is a comparative analysis from sexual violence education programs offered at local Mankato public schools. The examination of the programs evaluated thoroughness and messages presented within the curricula, including myths and stereotypes, emphasis on respecting one another, victim blaming and negative media message awareness. The information collected was used to help create an age appropriate, interactive sexual violence education program that is acceptable for youth from elementary throughout the high school level.