Project Respect is a prevention program for youth ages 14 to 19 that aims to stop sexualized violence, particularly acquaintance assault. “Date Rape” as it is commonly referred to, is a serious risk for youth (stats). Project Respect challenges the attitudes and behaviours that lead to sexualized violence: stereotypes, labels, miscommunication, drugs and alcohol, media pressure and power imbalance.
Using key messages developed with youth, Project Respect provides positive solutions. Centered on the theme of Respect, this program aims to give youth tools to communicate and have safe, healthy relationships. The messages encourage youth to break the silence that allows sexualized assault to happen. It empowers youth with the right to sexuality without violence.
Main Components:
Workshops - a two-part interactive workshop for high school students and youth groups.
Respect Revolution Campaign - a social action program for youth in partnership with local schools.
Social Marketing Campaign - icludes colourful and engaging posters, infomative mini-brochure and stickers.
A Young-Men's Program - launched in the spring of 2005, the program provides a honest dialogue about growing up male in today's society.
Our website - which will be re-launched very soon, in March 2010!
Background
In 1997, Women's Sexual Assault Centre (WSAC) found that of the women that accessed the hospital accompaniment program, over 1 in 3 were ages 13 to 19. The staff and board of directors dedicated a bequest to researching and designing a new prevention strategy.
Research done with youth formed the basis of Project Respect. Youth said they needed a program that reflected the realities of their culture, came from a variety of sources, and had a simple, positive message.
An advisory committee of youth quickly became the driving force of the project. With support from media experts and WSAC, youth helped develop the key prevention messages and social marketing strategy. The theme they came up with was “Communicate…Respect”.
After two years of work with local youth, community partners and experts in the field of sexual violence, Project Respect was launched in 2000. An award winning video created by the youth, a school program and a website were some of the key components.
Since 2001, Project Respect has presented in numerous secondary schools, has attended provincial and national conferences, hosted an awareness raising event, Yo’Fest, and trained many youth to be Respect Revolutionaries in their communities.
