It’s important for teenagers to have the tools and knowledge to keep themselves safe. There are many programmes available tailor-made just for this specific age group.
BodySafe
Many high schools around Auckland are involved in Rape Prevention Education’s BodySafe Programme, which is funded by the Ministry of Education and grants.
The programme helps Year 9 – 13 students take greater responsibility for their safety and well-being, both in their personal relationships and situations with strangers.
It provides information on sexual violation and self-protection, with a focus on prevention. The workshops address childhood sexual abuse, as well as sexual coercion within dating relationships and other high-risk situations.
KidPower offers a TeenPower workshop for youths aged 13 to 18, focused on positive, fun training in violence prevention, personal safety and real-life situations.
Participants learn simple risk reduction and successful communication techniques so that they can maximise the joys of meeting and being with people, both those they know and strangers.
These soft skills are backed up with effective and professionally coached physical self-defence.
The Auckland Sexual Health Service provides the Peer Sexuality Support Programme to 25 secondary schools across Auckland to help students make informed decisions about their own sexual health.
The programme aims to formalise existing networks, training students to work in a supportive and referral role with their peers.
It is important that teens have sound ideas around what healthy relationships are and are able to protect themselves and maintain their own sense of worth that demands the right treatment in relationships.
To help them with this, there are a range of healthy relationship resources online.
Family Planning
Family Planning has a range of information booklets available, which are free to order and cost only the price of shipping. Topics include ‘Your Choice’, ‘This isn’t love’, ‘All about growing up’ and there is a Healthy Relationships DVD available.
Attitude
Attitude, the youth education division on Parents Inc. provides health education programmes to some high school students and has a range of handbooks available that help teens. The Sex with Attitude booklet helps young people place a high value on themselves and their sexuality and promotes healthy choices.
KidPower
KidPower has developed the Healthy Relationships online programme for teens and adults with intellectual disabilities to provide practical tools and build resiliency to prevent bullying and abuse.