Climbing Toward Confidence is a sexual violence prevention and empowerment program of Our VOICE that serves low-income girls (ages 12-14) in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Through rock climbing, the Girls Pride sexual assault prevention curriculum, and mentorship, Climbing Toward Confidence aims to equip girls with both the practical skills to recognize and say no to risky or unwanted situations, and the confidence and conviction that their bodies and identities are worth protecting. For more information, or to apply as a mentor or participant, call 252-0562 and visit our blog.
In recent years, efforts to prevent sexual violence have widened to encompass the important role of male leaders working to challenge violent aspects of masculinity. If you are interested in joining other men to work on this topic, please call 252-0562.
The Girls Pride curriculum is for tween and teen girls. It includes lessons on gender stereotypes, media analysis, body image, healthy relationships and dating safety, warning signs, refusal skills, and self care. Training on this curriculum is available to youth group leaders, teachers, service providers and others who work with teen girls. For more information, please call 252-0562.
Let’s Talk is a series of free workshops for parents or mentors of teens and tweens. These workshops help adult start conversations with youth on difficult and vital topics. For more information, contact anna@ourvoicenc.org.
The mission of the Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force is to create social conditions, systems, and environments to prevent sexual violence in Buncombe County by mobilizing partners, key constituents, and communities; by education adults, youth and children; and by training professionals.
2010 Goals
Our VOICE’s Prevention, Education & Outreach Programs are aimed at breaking down myths, challenging harmful attitudes, advocating for healthy relationships and consent, and sharing resources. We offer presentations in schools, colleges, professional settings, assisted living residences, shelters, treatment centers, faith-based institutions, after-school programs and support groups.
Volunteering in this program is an exciting way to affect change in our county. While contributing to an important local effort, volunteers gain knowledge, improve their public-speaking and facilitation skills, and get to meet new groups of people throughout the county.
The Our VOICE Education & Outreach training (30 hours) prepares volunteers to make presentations in a variety of settings on the basics of sexual violence, to handle difficult situations, and respond to disclosures. This training will give the participant an in-depth look at the cultural origins of sexual violence and provide methods of sexual violence prevention.
If you’d like to learn more about local efforts to prevent sexual violence or collaborate with others, please join the Western North Carolina Sexual Violence Prevention Network.