Primary Prevention -- Stopping the Violence Before It Starts

In 2004, The Laurel Center began a joint project (DELTA) with the statewide domestic violence coalition and the local Council Against Domestic & Sexual Violence to identify primary prevention strategies to stop domestic violence in the family before it starts. This faith-based initiative developed into the Healthy Relationship Church Project, which seeks to bring the message of healthy relationships – versus violent or abusive relationships – to multiple levels of the community in multiple ways.

Current programs include the following:

Nursery School Project – working with preschool aged children and preschool service providers to develop healthy relationship skills and healthy relationship modeling.

Northend Collaboration – working with the Northend community in Winchester to promote a community-owned, long-range plan for violence prevention

Teen Intervention Project – one-time presentations to high school- and college-aged youth to promote an understanding of sexual violence, dating violence, and healthy relationships

Peer Education Programs – intensive youth programming to build youth leadership in our local schools on violence prevention

Multi-Session Programs – curriculum-based programs for middle and high school aged youth to explore healthy relationship issues, bullying, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and/or dating violence. Sessions are tailored to meet the needs of the youth in the program.

To learn more about these programs or to speak with one of our prevention coordinators about bringing a program to your agency or group, please call our office at 540-667-6160.