Community Prevention and Education

SPARCC is actively engaged in preventing and ending violence through addressing and changing social norms that support violence against women in Sarasota & DeSoto counties. SPARCC provides free prevention education presentations to local schools and community youth programs, as well as professional education about domestic and sexual violence to law enforcement, health care, social services and human resource professionals.

We truly believe that a violence-free society is attainable, and SPARCC is committed to breaking the cycle through awareness and education. For more information on SPARCC’s education and prevention programs, please read on.

Community and Professional Education

Community education presentations are provided to schools, faith groups, clubs, businesses and other organizations by staff and trained volunteers. SPARCC also provides professional education about domestic and sexual violence to law enforcement, health care, social services and human resource professionals. Presentations are free and can be tailored to meet the needs and time-frame allotted by your organization.

Topics include:

• Domestic Violence 101
• Sexual Violence
• Domestic Violence for Healthcare Professionals
• Workplace Violence
• Prevention
• Sexual Harassment
• Healthy Relationships
• SPARCC’s Services

Prevention Education for Students

SPARCC is actively engaged in primary prevention initiatives to break the cycle of violence in future generations through outreach and education to area youth. In working with students of all ages, we find that there can be difficulty in understanding the difference between abusive and healthy relationships. On a broader level, many students can lack the skills needed to clearly communicate their feelings and boundaries to others. SPARCC provides students with basic skills and information to help them avoid unhealthy relationships.

The primary goals of our programs are to:

• Teach skills for healthy relationships
• Promote positive self-esteem and respect
• Change social norms about dating relationships in the school, community and peer groups
• Create a positive and respectful school environment
• Develop teen leadership
• Provide support for at-risk students

SPARCC provides prevention education presentations free of charge to local schools and community youth programs.

These presentations address a variety of topics through age appropriate curriculum and include topics such as:

• Healthy Relationships
• Bullying
• Empathy
• Internet Safety
• Gender Roles
• Dating Violence
• Respect
• Sexual Assault
• Prevention
• Conflict Resolution
• Date Rape Drugs
• Self-esteem

Topics are typically presented as multi-session presentations and can be tailored to meet each teacher’s classroom needs.