Speak Up!
Speak Up! is a prevention education program for middle school youth that has been educating and empowering young people since 2007.
The program is offered in middle schools and community organizations throughout northern Colorado. Through engaging discussions and activities, Speak Up! sessions work to reduce sexual violence in our community by educating our future leaders.
The Speak Up! program aims to empower young people with knowledge about sexual violence and its root causes, foster skills to better support survivors, and increase self-confidence and skills for bystander intervention. By the end of Speak Up! sessions, participants will possess the skills and tools needed to “speak up” and help others.
Speak Up! can be offered in a classroom or small group setting!
Small Group Setting – This is the ideal format for Speak Up! groups. The Speak Up! Lead will coordinate with school or organizational staff to recruit a group of students interested in participating in a semester long program. This group typically meets once a week for about an hour, and we can be flexible when setting up dates/times. A minimum of five students is needed for this format.
Classroom Setting – The Speak Up! Lead will coordinate with school teachers and counselors to bring a multi-session guest speaker series into middle school classes.
Speak Up! sessions incorporate discussions, art projects, writing activities, media clips, and experiential games to engage participants in exploring various important topics including:
- Sexual Harassment vs. Assault
- Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships
- Boundaries & Communication
- Gender Stereotypes and Society Norms
- Bystander Intervention
- Consent
“I learned how to speak up against certain comments and to help people that I see are at risk of being sexually assaulted.”