Special Projects
(High School Violence Prevention Program)

As a part of a countywide effort, by RCS, this Program takes the unique approach of targeting young men and women ages 14-18, their parents and school site staff. It is our goal to engage all three as part of the solution to prevent first-time perpetration of family violence, including sexual assault. In the fall of 2005, RCS was selected as one of six rape crisis centers (out of 84) in the state to receive a special grant to implement a local-level MyStrength Campaign. Following the success of this special initiative, RCS developed a multi-faceted prevention program, integrating MyStrength Campaign.

At present, RCS is partnering with four high schools to coordinate additional training and education, geared to participating students, their parents and school site staff. The RCS High School Violence Prevention Program has established “MyStrength Clubs (for young men)” and “I Expect Respect Clubs (for young women)” at each of these schools, carrying on the themes from the initiation of the Program. These youth clubs will provide opportunities for both male and female youth to take leadership roles in family violence prevention.

The MyStrength campaign centers around the theme, "My Strength is Not for Hurting," emphasizing healthy relationships and empowering young men to maintain their strength and masculinity without using coercion, intimidation, force, or violence. The MyStrength Club was based on a program developed by Men Can Stop Rape, in Washington D.C.

The “In Touch with Teens” program was selected as one of five models for youth-violence prevention programs in the United States, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program was developed by Peace Over Violence (formerly known as Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women) addressing violence in teen relationships and empowering young women to develop self-esteem and assertiveness. The In Touch With Teens program was selected as the relationship-violence curriculum for the “Life Skills for the 21st Century” curriculum of the Los Angeles Unified School District. RCS has successfully implemented this program with young women at the Fresno Juvenile Justice Facility for the past several years. The In Touch With Teens program focuses on youth and supports them in making positive decisions about their lives and their futures and helps develop self worth and coping skills for life experience.

The RCS High School Violence Prevention Program is for students, educators, and parents to increase their understanding and involvement in family violence prevention and to create healthy relationships with each other, their parents, and their schools and ultimately, their communities.

The RCS High School Violence Prevention Program has implemented the MyStrength Clubs for young men and “I Expect Respect” clubs for young women (for which RCS have modified the curriculum from the In Touch With Teens curriculum) in more schools, each year, since 2005. The High School Violence Prevention Program is made possible by grants from the
California Department of Public Health Services (cdph.ca.gov) and
Fresno County’s Office of Education – Migrant Program, Region IV
(http://migrant.fcoe.k12.ca.us/districts/index.html).

A key purpose of the “MyStrength” campaign is to raise awareness about sexual violence among youth by empowering young men ages 14-18 to understand their role in ending sexual violence. Young men at certain designated site areas can also choose to participate in the MyStrength Club, which promotes education, empowerment and leadership development. RCS-CMC staff hosts launch events throughout the year at local high school campuses to promote the campaign (Please check website calendar for date and location).

“I Expect Respect!” is a 12-16 week program for young women ages 14-18 years of age. Some of the many activities include, but are not limited to: Group activities and assignments in developing self-esteem; establishment of healthy relationships; provides a safe place for discussions such as, decision-making, establishing physical and emotional boundaries.