Respect Curriculum, Dekalb Rape Crisis Center, Decatur, GA

Respect Curriculum, Dekalb Rape Crisis Center, Decatur, GA
Contact Name: Fatima Cody Stanford (Prevention Coordinator)
Phone Number: (404) 377-1429
E-mail: [email protected]
Key Words: (1) Mixed gender and male only; (2) middle and high school age; (3) racially diverse; (4) middle schools, community organizations, and private groups; (5) multiple-session, curriculum-based program; (6) 5-day program
Population served
The Respect curriculum is provided to all students in Decatur and DeKalb county schools and to youth in community organizations. The community presentations include male-only groups, and the school-based presentations are generally mixed-gender groups. Participants in the programs are of diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Caucasian, African American, and Puerto Rican. The community groups include Latinos, refugees, and other populations. Participants range from 100 to 500 per month. The agency is usually called and invited to make a presentation.
Medium used to convey message
The Respect curriculum was developed by the organization and is a 5 day program that covers healthy relationships, gender and power, definitions of sexual assault, empathy induction, and things that can be done to help sexual assault survivors. Along with the Respect curriculum, the organization offers a seventh grade program called “Hands Off,” which is focused on sexual harassment, and other victim services.
Goals, objectives, and desired outcomes
Program staff strive to make people aware of what sexual violence is and steer potential perpetrators away from perpetrating. They focus on youth to help mold attitudes that do not support violent behavior.
Theoretical/ scientific basis for the approach
This curriculum was developed by the organization. It is based on research such as empathy induction work by John Foubert.
Level of evaluation
An Emory student evaluated the curriculum for a master’s of public health thesis. In addition, a doctoral class at Argosy evaluated the curriculum. Program staff are currently conducting an assessment of the program that includes basic descriptive information. The program has been in existence approximately 5 years.
Staff capacity
The agency has a speaker’s bureau that consists of volunteers who present the curriculum. The volunteers must complete a 30-hour training and a 6-hour speaker training.