Speak Up!

What is Speak Up!?‍ ‍

Speak Up! is a 10-session prevention education program designed for high-risk youth ages 12-15, offered at middle schools and partner organizations in Larimer and Weld Counties. Speak Up! sessions incorporate several learning modalities to engage participants and hold thoughtful discussions on sexual harassment, sexual assault, healthy and unhealthy relationships, boundaries and communication, gender stereotypes and societal norms, bystander intervention, and consent.

Through collaborative activities and discussions, youth gain self-confidence, empathy, leadership skills, and bystander intervention strategies. Speak Up! aims to empower young people to “speak up” and intervene when someone is at risk of experiencing sexual violence and to seek help and resources for those in need. Speak Up! can be offered in Spanish upon request.

Speak Up! sessions explore various important topics, including:

  • Sexual harassment vs. sexual assault 

  • Healthy & unhealthy relationships 

  • Boundaries & communication 

  • Gender stereotypes and social norms

  • Consent

  • Bystander intervention

  • Online safety

Ideally, Speak Up! is offered weekly in a small group cohort with a minimum of 5 students. Speak Up! sessions incorporate discussion, art projects, and experiential games to engage participants. Alternatively, a modified version of Speak Up! can be offered in a classroom setting.

Speak Up! History

In 2007, SAVA launched Speak Up!, a middle school-based prevention program for youth identified as high risk. The original Speak Up! curriculum provided 26 weekly lessons to 8th graders throughout the school year to gender-separated groups facilitated by male-identifying and female-identifying program coordinators. SAVA Center removed the gender separation aspect in 2017.

In the 2022-2023 school year, the Speak Up! Program was revamped to provide 10 weekly sessions instead of 26. The program was also modified with current research and best practices to meet the needs of students with higher risk for violence perpetration and victimization.

In 2007, SAVA launched Speak Up!, a middle school-based prevention program for youth identified as high risk. The original Speak Up! curriculum provided 26 weekly lessons to 8th graders throughout the school year to gender-separated groups facilitated by male-identifying and female-identifying program coordinators. SAVA Center removed the gender separation aspect in 2017.

A Story of Success

After a Speak Up! session, a student shared that the program helped them realize a friend’s relationship was not just “drama,” but included unhealthy behaviors and crossed important boundaries. After several sessions building trust, the student felt confident enough to talk with a facilitator about what they were seeing and how to help. Together, they explored safe ways to support their friend, identify trusted adults, and connect with additional resources.

Stories like this reflect the heart of SAVA’s Speak Up! Program. When young people are given language, support, and space to practice speaking up, they are better equipped to recognize harm, support one another, and help prevent future sexual violence.

Interested in bringing Speak Up! to your school?

Fill out the interest form below.

Prevention Interest Form

To learn more or to request SAVA Prevention Programming, please fill out the interest form below.