Note: This program is unavailable at this
time due to lack of funding. If you are interested in funding this
program please contact us immediately.
Northwest Arkansas Rape
Crisis
NWARC P.E.E.R.S.
Program
Did you know that the peak rate of sexual assault occurs
between sixteen and nineteen years of age (Koss, Mary; Rape on Campus:
Fact and Measures (1992)? This is also the period when young women
begin to date. Their inexperience in dating inadvertently makes them
vulnerable to being victims of rape. Also, young men between the ages
of sixteen and nineteen may be inexperienced in dating and may not
realize that some of their actions may fall within the legal definition
of sexual assault.
Many teens do not understand how important dating is (i.e.,
knowing your date, going out in groups, setting boundaries with your
date and no alcoholic beverages) and how to protect themselves from
committing sexual assault or becoming a victim. As adults, we should
take every opportunity to teach our adolescents about the dangers of
sex and drugs, and what they can do to avoid these dangers. Teaching
prevention information to male and female adolescents about dating
safety will empower them toward actions for prevention.
To do our part in educating our teens Northwest Arkansas Rape
Crisis, Inc has initiated a P.E.E.R.S. Program. (Prevention, Education,
Empowerment, Recovery and Support) This program is designed to teach
adolescents about dating safety, date rape prevention, date rape drugs,
what to do if a friend is raped, and other sexual assault issues.
Students make a pledge to stop sexual violence in their school. With
professional training, guidance and direction from NWA Rape Crisis
staff, the students will become peer educators. After training, peer
educators will be responsible for teaching at least one class of their
peers on dating safety. Students will learn how to verbally communicate
with their date, how to set limits and boundaries, and how to have fun
on a date without sex, drugs and alcohol. We understand that
adolescents sometimes feel more comfortable talking to adolescents
about issues that are so personal.
This year, some students received prom packages, which
included everything one would need to attend prom (i.e. prom dress,
tuxedo, shoes, accessories, a trip to the salon, dinner for two, prom
pictures, prom tickets, limo, etc.). We anticipate having more students
in participation next year, which might not allow us to be as generous.
We would like to allot one senior from each high school a prom package.
We serve 19 high schools throughout Benton, Madison, and Washington
counties.
If you or someone you know would like to get involved or get
your school involved, please contact Anna at 479-927-1025. You can also
talk with your school’s health teacher, counselor, or principal to get
more information.
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Contact
NWARC
What
To Do After an Assault
Rape
Trauma Syndrome
Secondary
Survivors
What Can I Do If a Friend is Raped?
Resources
and Links
Event
Photos
24-hour
Hotline:
479-927-1020
or
800-794-4175
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