REAL Solutions to TOUGH Conversations for discussing dating, intimacy, bystander intervention, and sexual assault.
One of the greatest ways you can help others is by continually working on making yourself the best person you can be. For this reason, each week you will find a new “Tip for You” on this page – from The Date Safe Project, Inc. and our many friends from around the world who are experts on various topics. ENJOY the many tips below.
Share your thoughts on each of the “Tip for You” lessons found on this page by clicking on “Leave a Comment” at the top of this page.
Imagine being on a team with students from around the country sharing their insights and feedback regarding decisions The Date Safe Project, Inc. makes throughout the year. As a Date Safe Project (DSP) Student Advisory Board member, you are a part of the strategic thinking for what content, educational resources, services, and products The Date Safe Project, Inc. chooses to provide to the following people:
While sharing with student leaders from around the country, you will also communicate directly with Mike Domitrz and the entire team at The Date Safe Project, Inc.. Being on the DSP Student Advisory Board is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students, especially for individuals who appreciate having a real voice in decision-making. Each term lasts one month and can be extended based on the performance of that SAB member.
You will have the opportunity to write Entertainment Reviews, Op-Eds on Current News, updates from your own campus, and articles discussing important issues The Date Safe Project, Inc. addresses.
To APPLY for this opportunity to serve on the DSP Student Advisory Board, e-mail nominate@DateSafeProject.org with the following information:
Since the 2010-2011 school year is getting started, APPLY NOW! Send everything requested above to nominate@DateSafeProject.org.
Throughout the school year, selected students will be featured here at The Date Safe Project, Inc. as the “Student of Impact.” Students are nominated by their peers, educators, professionals, and can nominate themselves. The “Student of Impact” represents some and/or all of the below criteria:
The first “Student of Impact” will be recognized on Friday, August 28th. You will find their story and a picture of the individual here on the website.
NOMINATE someone today. Students will be recognized throughout the year and so it is never too late to nominate a person. To nominate an individual, send an e-mail to nominate@datesafeproject.org. In the e-mail Subject line, type “Student of Impact” and include the following information inside the e-mail:
The recipient of the “Student of Impact” will receive a certificate and an e-book of their choice from The Date Safe Project, Inc.. The recognition may be used in all personal and professional manners (resumes, vitae, awards, scholarships, etc…).
Just finished speaking at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and they packed the house for both presentations. Over 1300 students heard today’s sessions and 930 sign-up via their cell phones for our BONUS TIPS. From stage, I provide the students a number to text. When they text the number and follow our instructions (take 5 seconds), they automatically get the BONUS TIPS. The feedback from the students has been overwhelming!
Jackie, thanks for a great day with you and your team!!
Too often, the media and entertainment industry (TV news shows, gossip magazines, & online new sources) focuses so much attention on negative and/or dangerous choices male and female teenagers engage in – that they miss a lot of the positive choices high school students make concerning intimacy, dating, sexual activity, and supporting sexual assault survivors every day in our country. We were honored to hear our “Can I Kiss You?” program inspired teenage students in Wisconsin at Lodi High School, Portage High School and Wisconsin Dells High School to continue the messages of “Asking First,” “Opening a Door,” and “Being a Friend” throughout their high school careers. They created an “AWARENESS DAY” at their schools and in their communities. In addition, they are already working on creating ideas for next school year AND concepts to be practiced over this summer which encourage safer and healthier decisions for everyone. They shared pictures with us of males and females taking active roles in making educational posters addressing consent, respect, boundaries, supporting sexual assault survivors ,and dealing with sexual intimacy in high schools. The posters were being put up around the schools AND in popular community places of business for students to see throughout the summer. The teenagers told us the poster making was motivated by the “Do You Ask?” posters addressing consent at http://www.DoYouAsk.org
Regardless of where you are located geographically, send a note to their Principals and give them a big Kudos for being role models to others. Here are the 3 e-mail addresses:
lovela@lodi.k12.wi.us
exok@portage.k12.wi.us
ckunau@sdwd.k12.wi.us
Share your thoughts and encourage more students to follow these ideas by leaving your comments in the “Leave a Reply” box below.
Welcome to our 2009 Blog. As you can see, we have included posts from our previous blogs from 2007 – 2008 before we took a break to remodel our online community which is now launching in the summer of 2009.
The Date Safe Project blog is a CONVERSATION and so please engage and SHARE with everyone here by utilizing the “Comments” after each post. You will find posts for parents, educators, students, and caring individuals & organizations addressing dating, intimacy, decision-making, and sexual assault. While having fun sharing your thoughts with us, please keep comments positive in tone. THANKS!
Lets make a difference together,
Mike Domitrz
The Date Safe Project’s first PERSON of the WEEK is Cheri, a strong and courageous sexual assault survivor who inspired me to begin speaking out against sexual assault / rape and would go on to inspire the founding of The Date Safe Project, Inc. at http://www.DateSafeProject.org and now The Date Safe Foundation (the new non-profit organization being established). Cheri’s strength, determination, will, and love for her family are a few of the reasons she has been a special role model to all us here at The Date Safe Project, Inc..
As I travel the country speaking in schools, on college campuses, and on military bases, audience members are continually moved by Cheri’s story. Many individuals come up to me to share how amazing Cheri is and how much her story has helped them personally. In 2005, Cheri chose to share her journey in the book Voices of Courage: Inspiration from Survivors of Sexual Assault (at http://www.VoicesOfCourage.com). Her sharing has positively touched thousands of people around the world.
To many people, they refer to Cheri as their “Coach,” I am blessed to call her my sister. Cheri, I love you and thanks for all you have done and continue to do!
WHO IS YOUR “Person of the Week”? Share your nomination for a future “Person of the Week” by typing your recommendation in the “Leave a Reply” box below. Each week, a new group of individuals will be considered and one will be announced. Get your nomination in today!
P.S. To follow each week’s “Person of the Week” and our daily “Challenge of the Day,” subscribe to our YouTube page at http://www.YouTube.com/DateSafeProject.org and follow us on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/DateSafeProject
The Date Safe Project’s Challenge for the Day today is to tell us WHO is YOUR “Person of the Week” – find at least one person in your life who has positively influenced you on relationships, intimacy, equality, and in honoring sexual assault survivors. Then, thank the person. Look him or her right in the eye and let this special person know how much you appreciate him or her.
Next, tell us about the person and what they did to make a difference in the “Leave a Reply” box below:
Here is the video of today’s “Challenge of the Day”:
SpeakOut is a simple posting found in bathroom stalls all over Princeton’s campus. SpeakOut is thought provoking and raises awareness about sexual harassment and assault. Unfortunately, their signs are disappearing. Why? The people who make up the SpeakOut group believe it is a form a protest.
The SpeakOut group was formed because it was recognized that 1 in 12 college men have conducted themselves in such a way that they have met the legal definition of rape. Additionally, the group disagrees with current slang found on campus that degrades women and makes light of sexual assault.
Click here to read more.
SpeakOut would like to see the issues of campus sexual assault and date rape recognized. Instead their message is being torn down – literally. We encourage SpeakOut to stay determined – as many of us around the country support their efforts!!
Sometimes silence is stronger than words. Students in Stamford, Connecticut participated in National Teen Violence Awareness week by holding signs stating, "Love is NOT abuse" and "Love is NOT a shove." The silent protests were heard around the nation. With Connecticut ranked number two in the nation for domestic violence, the teens in Connecticut are taking this week very seriously.
Students are actively boosting awareness in their schools and communities. A group of students from a coalition called The Peace Project stated they would testify against the state Judiciary Committee and hold silent protests in Hartford, Connecticut to show their position on the subject.
The students are making headway. They received recognition from State Senator Judith Freedman. The best news? The students are dedicated to awareness, not just for this week – but for every day of the year!
