Sexual Violence Prevention & Education Program (formerly Rape Prevention & Education Program)
Funding for SVPEP comes through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Site Maintained by:
Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health,
The University of Arizona
1295 N. Martin Ave., PO Box 245209, Tucson AZ 85724
svpep@email.arizona.edu
Peer Solutions Inc. Overview
PSI Vision
Individuals internalize respect in thought, reflect it in action and spread it to others resulting in peace in our hearts, homes, schools and communities.
Mission
Peer Solutions Inc., PSI, helps youth and community members to build respect for self and others by providing activities that educate and increase awareness of positive alternatives to violence and self-destructive behaviors, facilitating the development of peer mentoring and leadership skills, promoting and modeling peace, empathy and bystander responsibility, and engaging in collaborative efforts with others.
History & Overview:
PSI opened doors in 1992, obtained non-profit 501©3 status in 1996 and has educated community members, organizations and entire elementary and secondary school districts across the country. Currently, PSI focuses delivery efforts in Arizona and continues to partner with local and national consultants and organizations. Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has funded PSI since 1997 to research, develop, implement and evaluate a community-based peer education and mentor violence prevention program, Demonstrating Respect as the Norm, for Tempe schools and the general community. In January of 2000, PSI received assistance from Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVPAZ) to support current activities and to expand services to Gililland and McKemy Junior High Schools. PSI has been contracted to receive funding from ADHS and SVPAZ through December 31, 2001 with an optimistic option for renewal. Also, in May of 2000, PSI began obtaining financial assistance from the City of Tempe.
PSI provides educational workshops and facilitates on-going school and community events linking schools and organizations across Arizona. With the assistance of key participants, PSI also develops and implements STAND & SERVE (S&S), a student-run club in Tempe, Arizona promoting awareness and prevention activities addressing: emotional, physical, gang, gun, domestic and sexual violence as well as eating disorders, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, racism, breast cancer and homophobia. Also addressed are personal and bystander responsibility, relationship and communication skill building, non-judgment, volunteerism, media literacy, understanding sex role socialization, empathy, resources for victims and perpetrators and respect as the norm. PSI offers a theoretically driven approach utilizing peer mentoring/education, social norms, social marketing, community development, resiliency and social change theory for program development, implementation and evaluation.
PSI also partners with A.S.U., Tempe Youth Leadership, Tempe's Promise to Youth, Teen Zone, Arizona Mental Health Association, Citizens of AZ to Prevent Gun Violence, Channel 3/WB61, the Governor's Community Policy Office, Angel Society, Remuda Ranch, Xavier College Preparatory, Peter Piper Pizza, Tempe Community Council, City of Tempe Community Services and other schools and organizations. The Governors of Arizona and South Dakota, the Mayor of Tempe and a variety of local and national media sources have recognized PSI's activities. Many thanks to all for supporting this program.