Unlearning Rape Using the Passport to Manhood Curriculum (Modified Program) in Riley County, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka, KS

Unlearning Rape Using the Passport to Manhood Curriculum (Modified Program) in Riley County, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka, KS
Contact Name: Judy Davis
Phone Number: (785) 539-7935
E-mail: jdavis@oz-online.net
Key Words: (1) Male only; (2) ages 11 to 14; (3) racially diverse; (4) community- and school-based programs; (5) multiple-session, curriculum-based program; (6) 14-week program
Population served
The Unlearning Rape Project offers the Passport to Manhood curriculum to 11- to 14-year-old males. Last year, the project reached a racially/ethnically diverse group of 96 boys. The program is open to any boys in this age range at the Boys and Girls Club in Riley County.
Medium used to convey message
The Passport to Manhood curriculum was developed by the Boys and Girls Clubs. The Unlearning Rape Project has infused the 14-week program with sessions that focus on sexual violence issues, resulting in a modified version of the original curriculum. The agency also offers a bullying prevention program, a dating violence program for at-risk teens, and a sexual violence peer educators’ program for university students.
Goals, objectives, and desired outcomes
The Passport to Manhood curriculum is used as a part of Riley County’s larger initiative, the Unlearning Rape Project. This is a community-wide initiative aimed at changing attitudes and behaviors that often precede sexual violence against women and girls.
Theoretical/ scientific basis for the approach
The Passport to Manhood curriculum was developed by the Boys and Girls Clubs. The original curriculum was not developed to address sexual violence; however, the Riley County program has added components that are intended to address issues of sexual violence.
Level of evaluation
The Unlearning Rape Project will be submitting required evaluation data on the Passport to Manhood curriculum to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment using a universal instrument for pre- and post-testing. It was initially difficult to get approval for male-focused prevention efforts from stakeholders, but the program currently receives a great deal of support.
Staff capacity
The program is delivered by staff at the Boys and Girls Club in Riley County, who received training from the national Boys and Girls Clubs. The organization has 3 years of funding through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.