WASAC’s education and outreach programs are intended to educate the public about WASAC services while challenging cultural myths about sexual assault. Programs offered to the community are provided free and confidential. Presentations can range from 15 minutes during a neighborhood meeting to a two-hour parenting class, each designed to fit the needs of the hosting organization. Educational programs can be arranged throughout Wichita and Sedgwick County in English and/or Spanish.
Personal Safety Awareness Program (for ages 3-10)
A curriculum for pre-K through 5th grade students will learn:
*that they are the sole owners of their bodies
*to identify safe and unsafe touches
*to identify the private parts of their bodies
*to be aware of possible lures used to engage him or her into sexually abusive activities
*to demonstrate their right to say “no” in a confusing or unsafe situation
*to identify trusted adults in their lives
Sexual Harassment information (for middle and high school)
A one-time presentation is available to discuss the issues sounding sexual harassment in school. This program identifies four different kinds of harassment including physical, verbal, written, and cyber harassment. Students will be asked to participate in an activity that challenges the thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that make sexual harassment an accepted part of the school culture. Students will also learn their rights and tips for reporting and dealing with harassment.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace programs (for universities, workplaces and concerned citizens)
Presentations are available to workplaces who want to train their employees or citizens who want to know what their rights are on the job. Definitions of sexual harassment, what to do if you are the target of sexual harassment and your rights as an employee are all part of the interactive discussion.
Sexual Assault Awareness (for middle and high school)
Although sexual violence affects many young people in Sedgwick County it is rarely talked about. This program gives middle and high school students the opportunity to explore through conversation the issue of sexual violence.
Internet Safety courses (for parents and children)
This program can be taught with parents and children together or separately. The main learning objective of this program is to start the conversation between a parent and their child about Internet safety skills. The session includes:
*Understanding the scope of the problem and the unique characteristics of Internet crimes.
*Video testimonies from children targeted by Internet offenders
*Looking at red flags behaviors from strangers on the Internet
*Looking at red flag behaviors from people you know
*On-line risk reduction strategies
Protective Parenting Education (for parents, grandparents, foster parents, caregivers, teachers, school staff & volunteers, youth coordinators, religious leaders; all who interact with our children)
Our curriculum instructs adults in the areas of child sexual abuse and personal safety for children. The program also includes: background information on incest and child sexual abuse; offender characteristics; behavioral and physical indicators of sexual abuse; how to talk with various ages of children about personal safety; ideas on how to respond if a child discloses information; how to support the healing process should sexual abuse occur; how a parent can set a good foundation for children for when the time comes for them to be in relationships as older teens and adults.
Sexual Assault Awareness Community Program (for concerned citizens)
This community conversation is designed for any group of people who want to know more about how sexual violence impacts our lives, our sense of safety, and the community as a whole. We use these programs as an opportunity to let people know what services are available, how to be supportive to friends and family who have experienced sexual violence, and to engage community members on ways to come together and make Sedgwick County a safer place.
Professional Trainings (for people working with people)
A variety of specialized trainings are available for a wide range of professions. Educators have done intensive child sexual abuse trainings, adult sexual violence trainings, long-term effects of sexualized violence, and how to work with survivors with school staff, early childhood educators, health care professionals, substance abuse rehabilitation staff, law enforcement, and other community professionals.
University class presentations
Each presentation can be custom-designed to fit various time and classroom needs. At this time we have developed materials and presentations that include the following topics:
*Common social myths about sexual violence and social norms that perpetuate a rape culture
*Sexual assault and consent in relationships
*Dynamics of perpetration
*Sexual assault on college campuses
*Long term effects of sexual assault
*Activism through education to reduce sexual assault