Youth Education Program

SASS Youth Education Program Information
Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) is dedicated to supporting Lane County survivors of sexual violence and to preventing sexual violence in our communities. The program's curricula are written for middle and high school-age youth and teach ways to identify and prevent all forms of sexual harassment and abuse. Each presentation also includes techniques for reducing personal risk of violence and effective ways a friend can support a survivor. Our program is presented by trained SASS staff and volunteers, and since its creation in 1995, the SASS Youth Education Program has grown to serve over 11,000 students in the Eugene, Springfield, Bethel, and rural school districts in Lane County.

SASS Youth Education Presentations

• In addition to these established curricula, SASS youth presentations may be specially tailored to address particular topics or classroom needs by request.
• Presentation requests from non school-based youth groups are welcome.
• Presentations about SASS' program and information for school staff are available by request.

3-day Sexual Abuse Awareness Curriculum: This consecutive series of presentations incorporate role-play, scenarios, games and discussion in showing students how to identify and deal with cases of sexual abuse and harassment. Day 1 introduces facts about the prevalence of sexual abuse and the resources available to support anyone coping with abuse in their own life. Boys and girls are separated on Day 2, and discuss how to recognize and protect themselves from dangerous situations; and how to support friends who have been abused. On Day 3, all students complete a personal safety plan and are given detailed information about local resources for youth.

1-Day Risk Reduction Presentation: This presentation introduces facts about sexual abuse, uses role-plays and scenarios to teach how healthy boundaries are set and maintained, discussion of ways to identify and avoid dangerous or abusive situations, how to support a friend dealing with abuse and emphasizes safety planning. All students will complete a personal safety plan and receive information about local resources for abused youth. (All information in this presentation is included in the 3-day curriculum).

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention: Role-play, scenarios and discussion are used to teach myths and facts about sexual violence, the nature of consent and how to support a friend who has been assaulted. This 45-60 minute presentation is interactive and focuses on ways students can protect themselves and prevent sexual violence from occurring.

Dynamics and Prevention of Sexual Violence: High school presentations are a 45-60 minute introduction to the dynamics of sexual violence. Presenters lead discussions about the role of power and control in sexual violence, use activities to dispel common societal myths about sexual assault, and students participate in role-plays to illustrate consent, ways to support a friend who has been assaulted and how to utilize local resources for help after an assault.