WORD Inc. Family Resource Centers

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The Gender Violence Problem

The Bystander Approach

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MVP: The Bystander Approach to Prevention

The MVP program uses a unique approach to prevention that views students not as potential perpetrators or victims, but as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers or challenge discrimination in any situation.

MVP engages students in critical thinking by providing background information about sexism, harassment, sexual assault, and battering. Factual and statistical information is included. The curriculum helps students examine the negative affects of rigid gender roles on the self-identify of both women and men though activities such as "Female Box: Male Box." The "Pyramid of Abuse" helps students understand how more subtle forms of discrimination or abuse, if unchecked, can create an environment leads to more serious expressions of violence and "Semantics of Sexism" addresses the role that language can play in perpetuating discrimination.
MVP uses "real life" scenarios for discussion to help students develop "real life" skills. The first step is helping students recognize sexual harassment, discrimination, and all forms of gender violence. The second is giving them confidence and strategies for speaking out against harassment and violence. Many students feel uncomfortable in such situations, but not knowing how to respond, they remain silent. The approach is not one of "blaming or victimizing" which can lead to defensiveness and stalemate, but one of open dialogue that develops empathy and a commitment to work together to end common expressions of harassment and violence.
MVP calls on students to become leaders in this movement to end harassment, sexism and gender violence in all aspects of our society. Students who wish to become trainers, who can in turn facilitate groups with high school and middle school students, receive additional training and support. The long-term effects are exponential; as more students who are natural leaders in their schools are exposed to MVP, more are willing to speak out. The MVP training can also be adapted to train teachers, college students, or other professionals working with youth who often find themselves at a loss when dealing with these issues in schools and other settings.