Healthy Schools

Resources

• Information on what to do if a violent incident occurs at school or if there is suspected or disclosed maltreatment:
  • Ministry of Education- Report an incident that happens at school: What to do if an incident involving a student occurs at school, at a school-related activity, or in any other circumstance where the student’s behaviour can have a negative impact on the school climate.
  • Government of Canada- Child Maltreatment: A "What to Do" Guide for Professionals Who Work with Children: How to identify and report suspected, observed, or disclosed maltreatment; legal responsibilities; and approaches to prevention and treatment and the evidence of their effectiveness.
  • Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies- How to report abuse: Information about how to call, what happens when you call, as well as additional information (e.g., Duty to Report, FAQs, testimonials).
• PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network) (French version): A one-stop source for resources to help educators address identity-based bullying, youth dating violence and to promote healthy relationships in the classroom.
  • Interactive Training Module – Teen Dating Violence and Healthy Relationships: What Educators Need to Know & How You Can Help
  • Youth Dating Violence Prevention 101 - What Everyone Needs to Know
  • Youth Dating Violence Resource Library
  • Teaching Resources to Prevent Identity-Based Bullying (Grades 7-12) 
• Gender-Based Violence Teaching Network: Resources to support secondary teachers and students in Canada to teach and learn about gender-based violence issues when using provincial curricula. 
• Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children: A learning network and knowledge hub through Western University that provides backgrounders, infographics, and additional resources regarding gender-based violence.
• Ontario Government- The Trap: The Trap is an educational tool to raise awareness about sex trafficking. This digital, scenario-based interactive tool demonstrates how youth are targeted and recruited by sex traffickers with the support of an adult facilitator. (French version)
  • PHE Canada- Trauma and violence informed teaching - why it is critically important, and how we can do it: It is important that students feel welcomed and safe at school and that students that may have experienced trauma in the past are not re-traumatized when teaching about consent.
• Futures Without Violence- That’s Not Cool - PSA: This video uses digital examples of controlling behaviour online to encourage teens to determine acceptable relationship behaviour.
• Canadian Centre for Child Protection-Sextortion-Ed Video: These resources (e.g., a video, memes, and gifs) aim to prevent and fight online extortion.
• Ophea- Sexual Violence Prevention Education Video Playlist: Videos on consent, sexual violence prevention, and scenarios to use in the classroom setting.
• Youth Diversion- #keepyourprivatesprivate: Many programs are offered for children ages 6 and up by gender and one is adapted for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
• WECHU - Healthy Schools Party Safer Toolkit: Lessons on consent, information on sexual violence, power of bystanders, etc.

Lessons and Classroom Activities

• Ophea- Gender-Based Violence Prevention Education Resources (French version): Ready to use classroom activities and educator resources.
• MediaSmarts (French version): Evidenced-based, wide range of media and web literacy resources for teachers and parents/guardians. Can narrow by grade and topic (i.e., violence, sexual exploitation).
• Draw the Line: Lesson plans, professional learning, and scenarios to guide classroom discussions regarding sexual violence.
• Don’t Get Sextorted (French version): Lesson plan, slides, and speaking notes for secondary students regarding sextortion.
• Canadian Centre for Child Protection (French version): Videos, lesson plans, activity books, factsheets, and additional training dedicated to the personal safety of all children (i.e., online safety, preventing sexual abuse, healthy relationships, etc.).
• Dress Purple Day Guide for Teachers and Educational Professionals: A lesson is included that supports reasons to ask for help due to maltreatment.

• Ophea Healthy Schools Certification (French Version): Contact your school nurse for more information on how they can support your school in achieving a Healthy Schools Certification.
  • Ophea- Gender-Based Violence Prevention Professional Learning (French version): Professional learning resources for educators regarding consent and gender-based violence.
• The Fourth R -Strategies for Healthy Youth Relationships: Resources, training, lesson plans, and programs to address adolescent violence and promote healthy youth relationships.
• Center for Prevention of Abuse: Toolkits regarding sexual abuse, bullying, relationship abuse, and social and emotional learning. 

• Ophea- Ideas for Action- Growth and Development (French Version): Can be used alone or with the OPHEA Healthy School Certification process for education about healthy growth and development. This is a starting point to encourage students to start conversations about topics related to healthy relationships in your school and community. This guide provides key information about existing programs and resources, tips for getting started, things to consider, sources of support in your community, in Ontario, and across Canada, and activity ideas in the following areas:
  • Connected to School
  • Connected to Community
  • Connected to Self
• Far From the Heart: Interactive website, classroom activities, and film that addresses dating violence and sexual assault. 
• Love is Respect: Information regarding dating violence in LGBTQ+ relationships; warning signs of abuse; quizzes on relationship healthiness; how to create a safety plan: how to support others (including abusers), teen dating violence awareness toolkit. 
• PREVNet - Preventing Youth Dating Violence: What Youth Need to Know: Videos, podcast episodes, toolkit zine, posters, etc., regarding healthy relationships and consent culture. 
• Don't Get Sextorted (French version): Online campaign to prevent sextortion by sending memes or gifs instead of intimate images. 

School Campaigns and Social Media

• WECHU - Healthy Schools Party Safer Toolkit: Contains links to social media messaging to share within a school community, party safe resources for teens and educators, information on sexual violence and consent, and a resource for parents/caregivers to talk to teens about partying.
• White Ribbon: Campaign that engages people through the creative use of social and mobile tools to inspire people to speak out against gender-based violence.   
• Don't Get Sextorted (French version): Online campaign to prevent sextortion by sending memes or gifs instead of intimate images. 
• Ontario Dress Purple Day: which is in October has prevention resources for elementary schools such as lesson plans and activities to make the day meaningful.

Ontario’s Ministry of Education: Policy and Program Direction

• Policy/Program Memorandum 119: Developing and implementing equity and inclusive education policies in Ontario schools
• Policy/Program Memorandum 120: Reporting violent incidents to the Ministry of Education  
• Policy/Program Memorandum 128: The provincial code of conduct and school board codes of conduct  
• Policy/Program Memorandum 144: Bullying Prevention and Intervention   
• Policy/Program Memorandum 145: Progressive discipline and promoting positive student behaviour  

School Board Policies

• School boards can set policies that influence the social & environmental norms that students experience. Please refer to your specific school board and/or school’s policies and code of conduct on violence for further information. Individual schools should speak to their school boards about whether they can develop individual school policies.

Support in the Community

• Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card: provides contact information related to crisis support, help lines, and counselling in Windsor-Essex County.
• Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Essex County: 24-hour crisis line, counselling, peer support, and resources
• Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre (WRH): Confidential services, medical examinations, and education for victims of sexual assault regardless of age or gender. Comprises three programs: Sexual Assault Program, SAFEKIDS Program, and the Domestic Violence Program.
• Youth Diversion - Essex County: Program and services support children and youth aged 6-18 in Windsor-Essex to provide youth with the tools they need to gain higher self-worth and make better life choices. #parentingunplugged is a series of videos, webinars, and podcasts to help parents help their kids get the most from technology while managing the risks.
• Hiatus House: Provides crisis support and shelter for women and children in Windsor and area who are fleeing violence and abuse.  
• WECHU - Healthy Schools Party Safer Toolkit: Contains  party safer resources for teens and a resource for parents/caregivers to talk to teens about partying.

Additional Resources and Support

• Kids Help Phone: Provides free and confidential 24/7 counselling and information service for young people in Canada.
• PREVNet - Preventing Youth Dating Violence: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know: Resources for parents/caregivers on how to support and help build skills around healthy relationships and discussing dating violence.
• NeedHelpNow.ca: For youth and parents/guardians that need guidance on the removal of pictures from the internet, dealing with cyberbullying, understanding the laws in Canada around these cases, and seeking emotional support. 
• Fem'aide: Provides support to French-speaking women in Ontario, as the availability of French language services can vary by community/region. You can speak to someone that will help create a safety plan, listen, and network with other service providers for access to services.
• Cybertip.ca: (Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children): Information on how what to do if your intimate image is being shared; online luring; sextortion; online sexual violence; online safety resources and fact sheets.