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Using High School Peer Groups to Reduce Sex Without Consent

NCJ Number
141388
Journal
School Intervention Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1992) Pages: 1-3
Author(s)
T Simon; C A Harris
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Sexual Assault Peer Education Program (SAPE) represents one way of dealing with the high incidence of sexual assault in the high school environment.
Abstract
Some high schools have begun to examine possible sexual assault reporting procedures and have drafted specific policies on sexual assault. At most secondary schools, however, there is still tremendous resistance to getting involved with sexual assault cases. School districts have protocols for dealing with sexual abuse cases, but many schools treat incidents of sexual assault in the same manner as abuse and refer them to the State department for children and families and/or the police. Schools must realize that the majority of teenage rape victims do not report the incident to the police or their parents. The SAPE program is based on the realization that teenagers are more likely to tell someone they trust about sexual assault. The program began at Brown University by training 90 female and male college students to conduct a mandatory orientation meeting for all first-year students on sexual assault. The SAPE program has developed an interactive theater workshop for high school audiences and can facilitate the use of peer educators to provide drug and sex education to students.