The BodySafe Programme has helped teach 15,000 youth how to keep themselves safe.
BodySafe provides information on sexual violation and self protection. It aims to enable young people to take greater responsibility for their own safety and well being both in personal relationships and situations with strangers.
‘I learnt a lot of what I’ve been wanting to know for a very long time. I would just like to say that having BodySafe come to our school was really helpful.’ Student from Manurewa College
Sexual Violation is an issue that affects everyone in the community either directly or indirectly. The BodySafe Programme addresses childhood sexual abuse, as well as sexual coercion within dating relationships, and other high-risk situations. The focus is on the prevention of sexual violence.
BodySafe Content
The BodySafe Programme is suitable for both males and females. We currently deliver the programme in high schools for students in years 9-13 inclusively. We also deliver the programme in alternate education programmes, and other community groups.
The programme is easily adapted to meet the needs of your students according to age, culture or specific issues that they may be facing.
It is usually delivered in a classroom situation as part of the health curriculum, or health day. An ideal group size is 30 students or less, however this can be adapted to meet your groups’ needs.
Programme Outline (Indicative)
Workshop One
Definitions of sexual violence (with a focus on the law).
Sexual consent.
Myths around sexual violence.
Prevalence of sexual violence in New Zealand.
Workshop Two
How to increase safety in numerous 'high risk'situations.
What to do immediately after and experience of sexual violence.
How to deal with a disclosure from a friend or family member.
Workshop Three
The effects of sexual violence.
How people heal form sexual violence and deal positively with the effects.
Where to go for help.
How young people who are engaging in sexually abusive behaviour can access help.
“I think the BodySafe programme is valuable, and every high school should have these programmes in place”
Westlake Girls High School Student
Working with your Curriculum
Each of the workshops incorporates strands of learning from ‘Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum’ (1999), including:
A3: Safety and Risk Management
A4: Personal Identity and Self Worth
C 1-3: Relationships with Other People
D 1-4: Healthy Communities and Environments
Workshops can focus on specific strands of learning to meet the needs of your students.
“Its useful because it gives information to people about what happens and how to deal with it”
Tamaki College Student
Booking BodySafe
Due to increasing demand, we encourage tentative bookings be made as soon as possible.
BodySafe is funded through Ministry of Health, grants from local and national funding agencies, grants from private companies and individual donations; because of this we are able to offer this at no cost to schools/organisations who meet the Ministry of Health criteria.
We are happy to discuss with you how the BodySafe Programme will benefit your group.
Please contact Kate 09 360 4001 or email kate@rapecrisis.org.nz