How Can a School Prevent Sexual Violence?

The school environment can encourage certain behaviors and discourage others. Here are some ways to alter the school environment to reduce behaviors that may develop into violence.

1. Hang posters that promote consent and sexual violence prevention.

Students spend many hours in school each day, and the information they see on the walls has a big impact -especially for visual learners! Posters such as these (https://itstartswithusnm.org/tools/) send the message that this institution cares about all students and their safety. Sexual violence has a stigma and shame associated with it. When a school makes a statement that “we can talk about sexual violence,” it supports survivors and discourages those who consider harming others. It also links to more resources and information specific to teens.

2. Make a display board about what to do if you see violence escalating.

Print off and post pages of “Not on My Watch” short graphic handbook for bystanders. Bring in a bystander training from a New Mexico sexual violence prevention program for students to learn concrete skills and practice intervening in potentially violent situations (and assess when not to intervene).

3. Engage leaders in the school

Talk to leaders of the school culture such as administrators, teachers, and staff to model respect and denounce bullying and violence. Adults should exceed the expectation of respect that they set for young people. If the adults in your school could use some support in modeling these skills, suggest nonviolent communication training as professional development or other relevant social-emotional skill building. We are never too old to keep learning.

4. Ask students where violence happens.

The students know where to go to escape the security cameras. Students know where they feel most vulnerable. Ask students to map where they feel most and least safe. This will help give you a totally different perspective. Begin informal conversations with students about the school campus and/or conduct a school-wide survey. This is called Hot-spot mapping. The information you gather from students can help make small changes (such as installing another light in the back staircase) that can make a huge impact on how safe the environment feels.

5. Follow through on changes to physical environment

Collect the surveys, communicate the results, and commit to addressing problem areas. Make some changes to address the concerns of students. Keep reminding the principal that these areas are a concern and the changes may prevent violence.

It starts with us to prevent sexual violence. Find resources for teens and mentors at www.ItStartsWithUsNM.org/tools/ and follow on Facebook @ItStartsWithUsNM and Twitter @StartsWithUsNM.

Blog by Alex Ross-Reed (she, her, hers), a sexual violence preventionist, health educator, writer, and artist living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.