Expect Respect

One out of every three teens is involved in a dating violence relationship by the time they leave high school. Expect Respect provides a comprehensive approach to supporting and educating vulnerable youth by creating safe and supportive learning environments.
The program addresses the issues around the different types of relationship abuse, the dynamics of dating violence, characteristics of unhealthy and healthy relationships, and how to set boundaries in a relationship.

Since 2010, The Shelter’s Expect Respect prevention program engages middle and high school students in building healthy relationships and preventing violence and abuse by challenging social norms. This eight week school-based prevention program offers a comprehensive overview on various topics contributing to relationship dynamics, including gender stereotypes, media influence, self confidence and communication. The goal is to
ultimately change the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of adolescent boys and girls and reducing the future occurrence of dating violence.

Youth participating in the Expect Respect program are able to:

  • Discuss relationships in an emotionally safe environment
  • Learn to respect different opinions
  • Increase sense of belonging to a peer group
  • Increase self-acceptance and self-esteem
  • Increase knowledge about characteristics of healthy relationships
  • Increase conflict-resolution skills
  • Increase understanding of rights and responsibilities in relationships

The impact of these programs should not be underestimated. When youth are empowered, their broadened awareness of domestic violence will ultimately create positive change and a safer community. Previous presentation venues include: various high schools throughout Collier County.

Overall, The Shelter’s primary prevention efforts seek to reduce the likelihood that anyone will become a victim or a perpetrator by creating conditions that make violence less likely to ever occur. The Shelter created this program to address a variety of topics, utilizing videos and group discussion.