Network of Victim Assistance is dedicated to reducing the incidence of crime through prevention education programs in Bucks County schools and in the community. All NOVA programs are geared to be interactive and age-appropriate. Program length can be modified to fit the host’s schedule or specific needs and requests.

The following is a list and description of the programs we will deliver on-site to students. All programs offer accompanying parent and teacher training.

Personal Safety teaches children strategies to protect themselves from crime and personal invasion. It emphasizes the safety rules of touching: "NO-GO-TELL." Children are empowered to listen to their feelings, say "no" assertively to dangerous situations and tell people they trust about uncomfortable feelings.

A general safety program that teaches children strategies to deal with dangerous situations involving strangers and people they know.

An age-appropriate, interactive awareness program created and designed for elementary age students. The program covers: who is a bully, what does a bully do and why does a bully act this way. Focus is placed on how it feels to be bullied and the difference between teasing/joking and bullying. Children are taught strategies on how to stop or reduce the effects of bullying behavior.

Information and communication technologies have created a new avenue for bullying. CyberBullying emphasizes student’s online rights and responsibilities. Effective responses and strategies are developed to handle this form of bullying.

From a very young age, children are taught, "Don’t talk to strangers," but sometimes it is forgotten that the stranger can also be communicating with children over the Internet. Children are taught about appropriate and inappropriate behaviors on the Internet and that "friends" in chat rooms are strangers. Children learn safety strategies and where and when to report questionable activities.

Created and designed for 5^th and 6^th grade students. Focus is placed on how it feels to be bullied and the difference between gender bullying and joking around. Students are taught safety strategies on how to stop the effects of this type of behavior and where and when to report questionable activities.

This program examines the differences between joking and harassment while helping students identify the effects of each on a victim. It emphasizes individual’s rights and responsibilities and identifies effective techniques to handle physical and verbal harassment.

Utilizing the structure of our Harassment program, the focus of discussion and activities is placed on harassment that is gender-based. The program distinguishes flirting versus harassment while assisting participants to identify personal safety resources and skills.

This program highlights characteristics of healthy versus unhealthy relationships and empowers listeners to create healthy relationships in their lives.

Rape Awareness dispels myths surrounding rape while providing facts and information useful to students. It assists individuals in identifying methods of reducing their risk of becoming a sexual assault victim with special focus on drugs referred to as "date rape drugs."

Conflict Resolution helps students understand and identify when they are angry and behaviors associated with their anger. The program helps participants to develop skills and strategies for resolving conflict.

Targeted for the middle school audience, CyberSafety uses a mock Internet surfing experience to promote an understanding of online personal safety. Students discover ways personal information is shared on the Internet and relates the dangers that sharing can have on a student’s actual safety. Commercial Web sites, marketing strategies, personal web pages and chatting online are topics examined in this program.

This workshop addresses the use of ecstasy and party drugs as well as alcohol and explores the increased risk of sexual assault that party drug users face.

Secondary education programs are also offered as a ten-week series designed for alternative school settings.

Keeping Kids Safe-Talking About Touching *

This training is geared for teachers and early childhood professionals in any school or recreational setting. The program explores common myths with a discussion of the signs and symptoms regarding child sexual assault. Skills on responding to a report of child abuse will be developed and reporting requirements will be outlined.

This program teaches parents how to talk to their children in a comfortable and appropriate way about touching rules.

The Bully-Free Classroom: Identification and Prevention is the Key *

This program offers prevention strategies and tools for developing a "Bully-Free" environment. An interactive discussion focuses on who is a bully/who is a victim, the warning signs of bullying, and help for both the victim and the bully.

This program explores why bullies bully and the effects it has on their victims. Incorporated are practical, effective tips and resources to help children.

Sexual Harassment in Our Schools *

In this workshop, the concept of sexual harassment is defined. Signs and symptoms of harassment are explained and intervention techniques for the classroom/hallways are offered. The development of a paradigm for school policy under Title IX is explored.

This training focuses on the potential online dangers for children, where and when to report questionable activities and the implementation of safety strategies.

* Denotes Teacher/Act 48 Approved