By AUSD Digital Communications Intern Rianna Marquez To keep students informed and educated on the dangers of sexual misconduct and unhealthy relationships Arcadia High School’s administration worked with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) to bring an informative presentation for 9th and 11th grade students to help them be able to identify and feel prepared for certain situations that they or their peers may encounter. A similar presentation was first delivered via an online platform, WebX, in 2021.With the current and less restrictive Los Angeles County Department of Public Health health and safety procedures, this time around, students were given the opportunity to gather in the Arcadia Performing Arts Center to view a virtual presentation that enabled additional education and discussion this school year. The presentation was hosted by RAINN, a nearly 30-year-old organization which serves as the largest anti-sexual violence group in the United States. As listed on its website, RAINN offers resources to Americans, such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline and the U.S. Department of Defense Safe Helpline, which ultimately supports millions of misconduct survivors to finding justice every year. The network alsoaims to educate the public about sexual misconduct safety while providing resources to help navigate through potential situations of misconduct. It also hosts training sessions for high school students,such as the one hosted on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Arcadia High School. According to the organization’s website, its workshops shed light on real-life situations, equipping students to approach various circumstances with the proper perspective. This semester’sseminar brought new perspectives to a variety of topics for Arcadia High students. Setting boundaries in relationships, the contrast between healthy and unhealthy relationships, forms of sexual misconduct, and what it means to promote empathy among peers where some of the topic areas covered. This presentation alsogave students several ways to interact with the information. In addition to a worksheet that students were prompted to fill out throughout the assembly, students were also able to watch videos and engage in discussions about hypothetical scenarios with peers. The video lessons were a new and interactive format for delivering information to students. They included JoinOneLove’s Behind the Post | Volatility, Rise Above’s Let’s talk Consent in Relationships, and the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)’s, Dr. Brené Brown on Empathy. Each video had something different to showcase that ranged from potential scenarios and commentary to visual depictions that illustrated ideas. “I enjoyed the last video on empathy,” said presentation attendee/Arcadia High junior Kiyomi Wu-Inouye. “The visuals that they gave along with the way the narrator described sympathy versus empathy were good, making it the most memorable part of the assembly.” While this might not have been the first time students learned about concepts such as boundaries, volatility, microaggressions, misconduct, and trauma, but the presentation brought new perspectives as to what each topic could mean. The presenters brought clarity about how each topic can connect, addressing the nuances of various situations. “I have a much better idea of how power and control take a role, even if it does not directly correlate,” said Arcadia High School freshman Natalie Huang. “The way people could be made to feel unsafe is such an important thing to recognize.” In the training, the presenters worked to promote inclusivity and open-mindedness when dissecting hypothetical situations. Students were encouraged to do the same, even when entering with opposing views. Ideas of having the right to respect boundaries and security were reaffirmed. The speakers noted the importance of communicating one’s boundaries when entering a conversation to ensure respectful approaches. This helped to eliminate stigmas for the students while simultaneously reminding them that it is okay to be confused and to gain varying opinions and interpretations in dialogue. In numerous ways, the presentation appeared to help students and staff in the audience learn how to address future encounters and provide further knowledge that will hopefully be advantageous in potential future circumstances and conversations. If you or someone you know is struggling with an encounter of sexual misconduct, visit https://www.rainn.org for more resources or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE for free, anonymous, confidential support available 24/7/365 in English and Spanish.
To report an incident at Arcadia High School, contact Arcadia High Assistant Principal Keith Kerney, the Student Resource Administrator, at [email protected]. For more information and insight on anonymous reporting, visit the Student Resource Office website. To speak with Arcadia High’s Wellness Counselor, contact Dr. Deja Anderson at [email protected].
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DCI Interns on the news writing team publish articles that are often published on local newspapers, such as Arcadia Patch and the Arcadia Weekly. The articles, ranging in subject, dive into the AUSD world and cover events, opportunities, news, and first-hand accounts of unique stories in the community.
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