“WISE helped everyone in class look at the world in a new light: looking at everyone as equals and realizing how media portrays men and women differently. WISE teaches that there aren't as many differences as we box each other off into and that we are all one.”- 10th grade student
PEP Report Card
We have made it to the half-way mark of the school year! Almost 1,500 students in the Upper Valley have already participated in multi-session programming with the Prevention and Education team (aka the PEP Squad). Students in grades K-8 spend time with our educators every year that they are in school. High school students experience an entire WISE week through their health class.
Elementary and middle school students are sent home with “take-home sheets” written for their caregivers. Take-home sheets provide a summary of the lessons and resources for continuing the conversation at home. If your take-home sheet did not make it to the kitchen counter, just send us an email. We would be happy to send one your way. We are so grateful to live in a community that values the work of ending violence.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
February is Teen Dating Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9% of high school students reported physical violence and 7% reported that they experienced sexual violence from a dating partner. Among victims of contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, about 23% of females and nearly 14% of males first experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by that partner before age 18. In our own Upper Valley Communities, the statistics are consistent with national data. Among students who dated during the past year, 1 in 10 experienced sexual violence and 1 in 15 experienced physical violence. Female students, students of color, and LGBT students are all significantly more likely than others to experience both physical and sexual dating violence.
In a study of teens who had been in an abusive dating relationship, less than one-third (32%) had confided in a parent about their abusive relationship (Liz Claiborne, Family Violence Prevention Fund). The same study found that the reason the conversations were not happening, or that the conversations were unproductive, was because both teens and their parents reported feeling “extremely uncomfortable talking to each other about the most serious aspects of dating abuse.” You can make these conversations comfortable by making them more frequent! Click here to learn how.
Upcoming WISE opportunities...
Foundations of Gender-Based Violence: We still have some spots available for spring training that starts March 5th. Click here for the application or contact Stacey to learn more.
Covered Bridges Half Marathon 2019:This year's race is on June 2nd, and we have a few extra positions left on our WISE team! Join the group and run to end gender-based violence. If you are not into experiencing "the best 13.1 miles in New England," you can still participate by sponsoring one of the 35 WISE runners. We introduce a new runner every Monday on Facebook as part of our Marathon Mondays series. Follow us on Facebookor contact Lisa to sign up to run or learn how to sponsor #teamWISE.
WISE Women Writing: Spring writing group starts May 1! Call the Program Center oremail Pam to sign up or find out more about the program.
We're hiring!
We have a new open position and are currently accepting applications. The Finance Assistant provides essential support to the organization. If you are interested or know someone who might be a good fit, send a cover letter and resume to Suzanne Kelly, Finance Director.
Leading the Upper Valley to end gender-based violence
Program Center · 38 Bank Street · Lebanon, NH 03766
