Safeteen Update

Here is a much better description of the Safeteen workshop recently given to our grade 8 students.

From Ms. Umlah – Counsellor.

This week our Grade 8s had the opportunity to participate in the Safe Teen workshops. The grade 8s were broken up into boys and girls groups to learn about Healthy Relationships and Assertiveness for Violence Prevention.

SAFETEEN LEVEL I: GIRLS’ PROGRAM

In the girls’ program we meet the Child who makes us an easy target for assault and intimidation, the Bitch who can fight back but also gets us in trouble and the Wise Woman who can stand up for herself and what she believes in without violence.

Issues Covered: Assertiveness Connecting with inner power & wisdom Standing up and speaking up without violence Fear and anger management Verbal and body language skills Healthy Relationships Attraction to the “bad boy” Breaking abusive patterns Building and respecting boundaries Giving up power/reclaiming power Victim blaming Verbal Violence Words as weapons Sexual harassment Bullying and intimidation Racism, sexism and homophobia Exclusion, gossip, intimidation Physical Violence Sexual assault Girl – girl violence Physical self-defense skills

SAFETEEN LEVEL I: BOYS’ PROGRAM

In the boys’ program we meet the Child who gets picked on, the Fighter who gets into fights and the Solid Guy who teaches us that we can choose non-violence as a way of being powerful. Issues Covered:    Assertiveness Connecting with inner power & wisdom Standing up and speaking up without violence Fear and anger management Body language skills Healthy Relationships Defining healthy relationships Defining consent Preventing emotional and physical abuse Building and respecting boundaries Cracking the Boy’s Code Sex role stereotyping Examining traditional masculinity Redefining “being a man” Embracing a full humanity Choosing non-violence Verbal Violence Speaking up without violence De-escalating potentially violent moments Sexual harassment Racism, sexism and homophobia Physical Violence Sexual assault Guy – guy violence “Stepping down” with dignity Thank you to the PAC for this wonderful opportunity. Some comments about the program from PMSS students: “I learned how to use “I” statements and what to do if a creepy person talks to you” “I understand how to talk to people in an uncomfortable situation and dealing with predators” “It’s important to stay neutral when talking to people and to control the three personalities” “It was a good session to have because in the future you need to know this stuff” “It was super inspirational and will stick with me. I’m glad we had this”