Watson-On March 9, 2012, 9th-12th grade students in Mrs. Knight and Mrs. Aucoin’s classes at Live Oak High school completed the last of a four part “Safe Dates” session, presented by District Attorney Scott M. Perrilloux’s Tri-Parish Rape Crisis Program.
According to the TPRCP, “Safe Dates” is a school-based program designed to stop or prevent the initiation of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse on dates or between individuals involved in a dating relationship.”
The program is designed for middle and high-school students between the ages of 12 and 18, and is presented by a licensed professional counselor at no cost to the school.
Session topics include: Defining Caring Relationships, Defining Dating Abuse, Why Do People Abuse?, How to Help Friends, Helping Friends, Overcoming Gender Stereotypes, Equal Power through Communication, How We Feel, How We Deal, and Preventing Sexual Assault.
“We are so grateful to Live Oak high school, and all of the schools that allow our Rape Crisis Program to speak with their students,” said District Attorney Scott Perrilloux,“It is very important that children learn at an early age what is acceptable dating behavior and what is not. We hope that through this program, students will develop a strong understanding of what is right and wrong in relationships, and that it will assist in the long term prevention of abuse and sexual assault.”
“Safe Dates” was presented by TPRCP Coordinator Lorett Swank, who was assisted by Melanie McKee, a counseling intern at Live Oak, currently finishing her master’s degree at Southeastern Louisiana University.
On day one, Swank discussed identifying caring people and caring relationships with students. The class then made a list of what a person would want from a healthy relationship, and how an individual would want to be treated by a dating partner.
The following days included lessons on harmful dating behaviors and dating abuse. Subjects such as control, manipulation, signs of abuse, and characteristics of abusers were discussed.
On the students’ final day with Swank, they focused on how to help friends who have been victims of abuse. She emphasized the difficulty of ending an abusive relationship, how to support friends, and available resources.
“During our four days at Live Oak we reached about 350 kids each day,” said Swank. “Many kids, for the first time, realized they were living in abusive environments or were in unhealthy relationships. After each session, emotional students would talk to me about their concerns while choking back tears. The program was powerful, emotional, and very effective. Since we were able to spend several days there, we were able to develop a relationship with these kids. While some benefit from healthy homes and happy lives, there are so many that need our help.”