Prevention Programs for Students

Grade 2

Safe Touches is an evidenced-based prevention program presented to children in their 2nd grade classrooms. Two trained NOVA educators use puppets to provide developmentally appropriate content about body safety. Children learn about what they can do if they feel unsafe. For more information, click here.

Kindergarten – Grade 3

These interactive programs work to prevent bullying by encouraging positive attitudes, compassionate behaviors, and caring environments. Students explore feelings and actions, learn the value of kindness, and how to be an “Upstander.”

Grade 6

Targeting a covert form of bullying that intentionally uses gender to cause harm; this program discusses victim impact, clarifies the difference between joking and gender bullying and reviews students’ rights, responsibilities, appropriate responses and resources for support.

Specific age-appropriate topics for upper elementary

NOVA’s digital series provides the foundation for becoming responsible digital citizens.

• iSmart 101 – Grade 4
• Cyberbullying Prevention – Grade 5
• Digital Footprint – Grade 6

For additional information, please contact Alyssa Davis – alyssa.davis@novabucks.org

Appropriate for students ages 10 to 13

NOVA’s 4 u 2 Know program supports personal safety for tweens as they become more autonomous. The 4 u 2 Know program develops critical thinking skills, strategies for safe interpersonal boundaries, and ways to seek help. As youth begin to enjoy increased independence both offline and online, many do not recognize possible “tricks” that may lead to victimization. Blurring boundaries, giving attention, and gaining trust are all part of the grooming process that starts long before an abusive act occurs.

Students view three video vignettes depicting unsafe situations. These vignettes connect to personal safety strategies and support resources. NOVA educators debrief students after each vignette.

Child sexual abuse thrives in a world of silence, secrecy, and shame. One in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault. These experiences often go unreported for many reasons. The child may feel responsible for the abuse or worry that they will not be believed. NOVA seeks to provide an environment where every student feels safe and respected. NOVA staff will identify themselves as mandated reporters but will encourage students to seek support if they feel safe to do so. Should a child choose to disclose, they will know they will be supported and believed by NOVA staff.

Grade 9

Through this victim-centered Sexual Violence prevention program, students will have a clear understanding of what constitutes rape and other forms of sexual violence. Affirmative consent is defined while risk reduction and bystander intervention strategies are explored. Support and resources for victims are provided as well as strategies for how to handle a disclosure of sexual violence from a friend.

NOVA’s Sexting and Sextortion program helps students recognize the potential dangers associated with taking, sharing, or receiving explicit photos. This program will also discuss sextortion as a crime and what can be done if someone is being sextorted. Risk reduction and resources for support will be included.

In NOVA’s victim-centered Understanding Sexual Violence prevention program, students will have a clear understanding of what constitutes rape and other forms of sexual violence. Consent is defined and bystander intervention strategies are explored. Support and resources for victims are provided as well as strategies for how to handle a disclosure of sexual violence.

NOVA’s Bystander Intervention program will give students tangible strategies to intervene in situations of potential violence. We will discuss the reasons why an individual chooses to intervene as well as why they choose not to, and encourage students to make the choice to be an Upstander however possible when witnessing potential violence. This program is a great add-on to any of our other programs!

NOVA’s Human Trafficking 101 program will teach students the definition and types of human trafficking, red flags to look for, as well as dispel myths about what trafficking looks like. Support and resources for victims are provided as well as strategies for how to handle a disclosure of trafficking.