For 29 years Reach has worked to prevent sexual violence and promote healing in the Winnebago County schools. Age appropriate presentations from PreK through high school provide students with information they can use to protect themselves and to challenge the thinking that allows sexual violence to continue in our community. Elementary school presentations teach children about safe/unsafe touch and personal safety. Parents are encouraged to attend presentations and children are encouraged to discuss these topics with parents or trusted adults. In the middle and high schools, education presentations focus on social norms-myths and stereotypes, sexual harassment, relationship violence, sexual assault, coercion, appropriate boundaries and assertiveness skills. Smaller group discussions with male and female facilitators in high schools encourage students to critically challenge existing peer beliefs and accepted media messages about relationships and violence.
Reach Counseling believes the power to end sexual violence and protect our children is the responsibility of all adults who live in our community. There are simple things each of us can do to dispel the myths and stereotypes that surround sexual abuse and create a safer community for us all. We are committed to increasing public awareness through educational programs, group discussions and ongoing dialogues with community members, businesses, professional, private and faith-based groups, and organizations.