Our Approach
Our approach to ending violence and building healthy communities is framed by specific theories and best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Social Ecological Model of Prevention
We understand that ending violence or abuse means addressing, over time, the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, institution, and societal influences. These influences include the media, social media and the internet as well as unique, societal and cultural influences. This multifaceted approach is framed by the CDC’s four level Socio-Ecological model of Prevention.
Using this framework, our sessions aim to address multiple areas of a person’s life such as health, education, social connections, and social conditions by providing services in a variety of relevant settings.
The 9 Principles of Effective Prevention Programming
Our programming is guided by the 9 Principles of Effective Prevention Programming
- Varied Teaching Methods
- Sufficient Dosage
- Theory Driven
- Positive Relationships
- Appropriately Timed
- Socioculturally Relevant
- Outcome Evaluation
- Well-Trained Staff
- Fundamentals of Behavior, Learning and Behavior Change
The evidence based strategies we apply include:
- Promoting positive norms that protect against violence
- Teaching skills to prevent violence
- Providing social opportunities to empower and support vulnerable communities
- Creating protective environments
- Supporting survivors/victims to reduce harm
How EMERJ-SafeNow Works with a Community
Step 1: Through collaboration and sharing we identify gaps in services, skills and resources and strategize with the community what actions the community wants to take to achieve the goal of ending violence.
Step 2: After we establish the community or organization’s goals we work together to create the approach, the specific ways to advance this strategy such as socio-emotional learning, or teaching about healthy sexuality.
Step 3: We collect and evaluate data throughout the entire process, planning, implementation and assessment, to improve and monitor our strategies and approach. This process enables us to determine what is effective in reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors and is used to determine our effectiveness in achieving our overarching goal: to end violence and increase personal safety.
For populations at high risk of assault or abuse such as children, young adults, people who identify as a woman (cisgender and transgender), older adults, people with disabilities, marginalized communities and communities with limited resources, EMERJ-SafeNow offers a choice of strategies and skills to implement before, during and after violence or abuse: verbal, non-verbal or physical.
