Violence Prevention Program

The Violence Prevention Program began in 1991 with one advocate and one interested teacher. It has evolved over several years to include three full-time advocates, several volunteers and numerous public, private, and alternative schools, as well as colleges and universities throughout Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington Counties. The six-week violence prevention curriculum has consistently measured a positive attitude change in students who have participated in the course. Other services offered by the Violence Prevention Program include support groups, one-on-ones, peer mediation, and service learning.

Tubman works to provide prevention education to fit the needs of both the students and school faculty.  Over 2,600 students in 35 metro-area schools took part in the six-week curriculum sequence in 2004.

Lessons are organized into six units:

LESSON ONE: Domestic Violence

• Differentiating between healthy and unhealthy relationships
• Defining domestic violence and identifying its many complex forms

LESSON TWO: Building Empathy

• Defining empathy and its role in understanding domestic violence
• Identifying the roots of domestic violence and behavioral patterns in relationships

LESSON THREE: Gender Roles

• Introducing gender role socialization and how it can impact individuals
• Relating gender role socialization to domestic violence

LESSON FOUR: Communication

• Identifying listening styles and how these styles can impact others
• Exploring how various patterns of communication can affect the outcome of a conflict

LESSON FIVE: Regulating Our Emotions and Environment

• Identifying emotional triggers and how to respond with regulated behavior
• Defining and honoring physical and emotional boundaries

LESSON SIX: Tools for Creating Change

• Identifying personal and community resources
• Exploring how to create change within ourselves and in the community
  
  

VPP success story
Ana dated Ernesto for a little over 11 months and then ended their dating relationship. Four months later he still wasn't leaving her alone. Ana approached a Tubman Family Alliance prevention advocate to discuss her options and create a safety plan. For a while, Ernesto stopped bothering Ana, but before long she decided to file a Harassment Order. The prevention advocate arranged to have a legal advocate accompany Ana to court.

Our Violence Prevention Program gave Ana an opening to discuss her situation. From that point on, the collaboration between Tubman Family Alliance staff and school staff helped to ensure Ana's emotional well-being and safety throughout a difficult and potentially dangerous time. Ana is doing well and is now in a healthy relationship.