"Strong people stand for themselves. But the STRONGEST people stand up for others" -Unknown
CONSENT
Consent
"No." Does Not Mean "Convince Me"
- Unknown
We consent to things daily! In fact, a recent survey showed the average adult makes over 35,000 decisions/day. We are actually experts in consent and decision-making. However when it comes to sex and intimacy, we tend to believe it’s confusing and unclear and “gray.” Consent at its core is when everyone involved freely and willingly agree to participate – when all involved are in harmony. For more information, including ages of consent per state, and more details about consent, when consent is given, not given, and how to ensure you have consent, please see the resources below, and our definition of consent here.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Healthy relationships, whether with family, friends, or a dating partner, are central to our happiness. Knowing which relationships to nurture and which relationships to let go of is a crucial life skill. A healthy relationship is encouraging, loving, supportive, and built on trust and equity. Check out the resources below to learn about what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like, and how to be a loving friend and partner.
Healthy Relationships
“Love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” - Thích Nhất Hạnh, Vietnamese global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social Media
Before you text, type or speak, THINK first.
Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring?
Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?
Social Media
With 95% of teenagers having access to a smartphone, and 45% saying they are online almost constantly’, there is no doubt that social media has a significant impact on teenager’s lives. Research shows that the way in which teenagers feel social media affects their lives varies: 31% say it has a mostly positive effect, 45% say that it has neither a positive nor negative effect, and 24% say it has a mostly negative effect. See the resources below to help you identify ways to: make your social media experience more positive, be a kinder and more thoughtful user of social media, and eliminate toxic social media connections.
MEN & BOYS
When we talk about sexual violence, it is girls and women who most often come to mind. However sexual violence is a crime of power and control that can happen to, and be perpetrated by, anyone. 1 in 6 men have been sexually abused or assaulted, and 91-99% of sex offenders are men. To end sexual violence, boys and men must take the lead in redefining masculinity, uplifting gender equity, and holding other boys and men accountable for sexist jokes and sexually, physically, and emotionally abusive behaviors towards their dating partners. In a world where toxic masculinity is praised and encouraged, being an advocate for ending sexual violence can be challenging. We need you, because as Tony Porter states “If women could end violence against women and girls by themselves, they would have done it already.”
Men & Boys
"Once men realize that gender roles are a prison for them too, they become really valuable allies. Because they're not just helping someone else, they're freeing themselves."
-Gloria Steinem, American feminist journalist and social political activist and Co-Founder of Ms. magazine
SPEAKING UP & OUT
Speaking Up & Out
"What you allow, is what will continue."
-Unknown
"The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people, but because of the silence of good people." - Napoleon Bonaparte, French statesmen and military leader
Sexual violence prevention means stopping the behavior before it ever starts. In other words, preventing people from assaulting others in the first place. An active bystander is someone who is able to identify offensive comments and behaviors and safely interrupt the behavior in order to decrease the likelihood of a dangerous or harmful situation. This can range from not laughing at a sexist joke, to calling someone out for committing sexual assault. Speaking up & out is a vital piece to preventing sexual assault. Knowing how to do it in a way that feels safe and effective however, can be difficult.
GET INVOLVED
We cannot end sexual violence without leadership from todays youth. Your voice and your experiences and ideas are valued and necessary to provide both validation and support for survivors, and to dismantle rape culture which uplifts toxic masculinity, the oppression of women and girls, and victim-blaming. From awareness campaigns, to school clubs, and peer education, there are many opportunities for you to get involved.
Get Involved
"I raise up my voice - not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard."
-Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate
Resources for Teens Working with Teens to Prevent Sexual Violence
Author/Organization: George Mason University
Resource Type: PDF
Age: College, Middle School, High School
Topics: Community educators & leaders, coaches, consent, men as allies, prevention, school teachers, sexual violence/rape
Author/Organization: Clinton Foundation
Resource Type: Video
Age: Middle School, High School
Topics: Community educators & leaders, activity, athletes, coaches, dating violence, men & boys, men as allies, prevention, school teachers, video
Author/Organization: One Love
Resource Type: Website
Age: College, Middle School, High School
Topics: Community educators & leaders, boundaries, communication, healthy relationships, men and boys, men as allies, school teachers
Author/Organization: Ted Talk
Resource Type: Video
Age: College, Middle School, High School
Topics: Community educators & leaders, activity, coaches, consent, men & boys, men as allies, school teachers, sexual violence/rape, video
Resource Type: Discussion Guide
Age: College, Middle School, High School
Topics: Cyber bullying, LGBTQ+, bullying, bystander, community educators, dating violence, male survivors, men & boys, men as allies, parents/guardians, prevention, school teachers, sexual violence/rape, statistics
Author/Organization: Nevada Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence
Resource Type: Website
Topics: PWD, community educators, domestic violence, parents/guardians, prevention, school teachers, sexual violence/rape
Author/Organization: National Domestic Violence Hotline
Resource Type: Website
Topics: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, PWD, community educators, consent, domestic violence, laws, parents/guardians, school teachers, sexual violence/rape
Author/Organization: Able SC
Resource Type: PDF
Age: College, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Topics: bystander, community educators, prevention, school teachers
Author/Organization: South Carolina Legislature
Resource Type: Website
Age: College, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Topics: coaches, community educators, laws, men as allies, parents/guardians, school teachers, sexual violence/rape
Author/Organization: South Carolina Department of Social Services
Resource Type: Website
Age: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Topics: coaches, community educators, laws, male survivors, mandated reporting, men as allies, school teachers
https://levelupforchange.org/category/adult/, https://levelupforchange.org/category/teen/