Knowledge is power.
CONNECT collaborates with our Island community to promote healthy relationships and to raise awareness of issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence. Our goal is to increase our visibility on Martha’s Vineyard to educate our community and make CONNECT services known to survivors, their loved ones and the community at large.
“We make ourselves present so we can be there for everyone,
being present lifts barriers.”
– CONNECT’s Education and Prevention Coordinator
Collaborations:
Stand With Everyone Against Rape (SWEAR)
- The SWEAR program began in 2016. Each year, students are nominated by their teachers and complete a two-day training to become leaders in their school community. Throughout the year, CONNECT counselors provide the group with education and support.
- SWEAR leaders:
- Facilitate discussions throughout the school year.
- Hold an annual assembly with the Junior class on sexual assault.
- Assist in teaching the Healthy Relationships curriculum in grades 6-8 with CONNECT counselors.
Students Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Uproot: Students Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is a group at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for students who work together to promote respect, safety, and awareness about issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence within the student body. Examples of the group’s work include:
- Awareness campaigns
- Engaging their peers in conversations about healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Recognizing National Denim Day
- Recognizing Pink Shirt Day
Healthy Relationships Curriculum
Healthy Relationships was developed using evidence-based and research-based curricula. The current curriculum is implemented in grades 6-12 and covers topics including:
- The types of abuse and respect
- How to be an active bystander
- How to access resources for support
- Healthy relationships
- Consent and respect
- Gender roles
- Sexual assault
- Boundaries
- Communication
Throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October) and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April) CONNECT partners with our local libraries to set up displays that promote healthy relationships.
CONNECT’s Police Liason works closely with local law enforcement for training and care coordination when victims of domestic or sexual violence are reporting a crime.
Each month, The Vineyard Current works with CONNECT to cover topics related to domestic and sexual violence including:
- Boundaries
- Healthy Relationships
- Consent
- Upcoming Awareness Events
training and support for other services providers on the Island on topics including sexual harassment in the workplace, how to respond to a disclosure of domestic or sexual violence, how to support others when they experience violence, and how to access local resources.
You can also find CONNECT at various community events including:
- Tisbury Street Fair
- Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair
- Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk(October)
- CONNECT’s Annual Seawall Stand
- Annual Sexual Assault Awareness Walk (April)
- Tivoli Day
- White Ribbon Day
- LADYFEST
Contact:
Jennifer Neary, Program Director
774-549-9667 x103
jneary@mvcommunityservices.com