is a campaign designed to prevent teen sexual bullying and provide information on how to safely intervene during an incident of teen sexual bullying.
is a campaign designed to prevent teen sexual bullying and provide information on how to safely intervene during an incident of teen sexual bullying.
Step Up Step In is led by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA). Step Up Step In is a collaborative movement that engages schools and communities to identify and stop sexual bullying from occurring between youth. The goal is to stop the potential for escalating sexual violence. This campaign is typically facilitated by educators, administrators, and other adults who collaborate with youth serving organizations.
Step Up Step In began as a collaborative effort between the Georgia Department of Public Health and Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault in 2015. Based on statistics from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS), DPH and GNESA determined that sexual bullying was prevalent in Georgia. Focus groups were conducted with teens to identify key challenges, and the campaign was designed to address these challenges. As of August 2022, Step Up Step In is being implemented in 18 middle and high schools throughout Georgia and partners are looking to expand the work into other schools and youth serving organizations.
The purpose of Step Up Step In is to prevent teen sexual bullying and provide information on how to safely intervene during an incident of teen sexual bullying. Using knowledge and skills gained during the campaign, students begin making a cultural change.
Bystander intervention is a crucial strategy in preventing sexual bullying in schools/youth serving organizations. Through bystander intervention strategies, casual observers of sexual bullying become engaged in the fight to stop it.
Active bystanders are educated about the issue. They understand cultural and societal factors that have “normalized” sexual bullying. These behaviors are misleading and harmful to their friends and peers who are victimized by these behaviors.
A bystander is an individual who is standing near and observes a situation but does not become involved in it. They literally “stand by” while an act occurs.
More than 12% of Georgia high school students who are dating (seriously or casually) were physically hurt on purpose by someone they were dating.
Nearly 14% of Georgia high school students have been bullied electronically.
More than 18% of Georgia middle school students have been bullied electronically.
of Georgia high school students have been bullied on school property.
of Georgia middle school students have been bullied on school property.
Use the guidance throughout this website, as well as prepared resources, to bring Step Up Step In to your school! Schools are encouraged to implement Step Up Step In however they feel will best motivate the students and communities they serve. This section of the toolkit provides ideas and resources we anticipate you will utilize – although you and your students will likely create other ideas. Be creative! If you need additional support or recommendations, contact the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault at info@gnesa.org
For a cultural shift to occur, Step Up Step In should be supported by top officials. Leadership/administrators are important allies to achieving change. Buy-in and support is very valuable.
This is a person in the community in a position of power, such as a Mayor or President of a local company. Seeing a powerful person delivering a message about sexual bullying can highlight its prevalence and encourage youth engagement.
Appoint an adult to lead Step Up Step In. This person is in charge of leading the program but might want a small team of other adults to assist in delivering the program.
Culture will truly begin to change when youth see their peers participating in the positive behavior that Step Up Step In promotes. Take the program to an existing youth serving organization that is seeking an opportunity to make a difference. Or create a Step Up Step In Ambassador Team comprised of youth of various ages and walks of life to become the on-the-ground presence the campaign needs to succeed.
After deciding to implement Step Up Step In, you may want to use the following documents to make your team aware of the campaign and to gain support for the project.
Set the stage for a school/organization that is free from sexual bullying! Assemble youth to arm them with the knowledge and skills they need to stop sexual bullying – and how to react if it happens to them or a friend or other youth.
A sample program agenda gives guidance on how you may want to structure your assembly – along with prepared speaker's remarks and a Customizable Presentation – that will help you introduce Step Up Step In to your school/organization. You may also want to consider the following ideas:
Placing prevention messages around the school/organization can help decrease sexual bullying. To help your school/organization take part in this effort, Step Up Step In provides a series of flyers that can be printed and hung in key places around your facilities.
The messages remind youth throughout the course of their days about the dangers of engaging in sexual bullying – and empowers them to help others who are victimized by it.
Data collected in Georgia found that sexual bullying occurs most frequently when students are congregated in small or large groups with minimal supervision. These findings backed up national research.
Consider hanging the Step Up Step In flyers in areas where youth are more likely to engage in the behavior – and likely to see the message when it matters most – such as:
Four to six weeks after the assembly, announce a Step Up Step In Youth Essay Contest that encourages youth to write down their changed views on sexual bullying. The Essay Contest will help you gauge what participants have learned through your initiatives – and to identify how youths’ perceptions, opinions, and behaviors have changed.
To announce the contest, determine through what channel it would best be communicated to students – e.g. in homeroom, in a specialized class, to specialized grade levels, group meetings/events.
Then provide written Contest Overview and Essay Guidelines – such as word counts (keep it short to maximize participation!) and general themes youth can utilize as starting points. Your customized materials should include deadline and submission requirements.
From there, allow ample time (three to four weeks) for youth to put their thoughts onto paper. Remind them during the development period about the contest and encourage participation. Social media can also be utilized to communicate the initiative to youth and other audiences. Be sure to offer a prize, which could be anything from gift cards to local restaurants and movie theaters to items with school or organizations logos.
Once essays are collected, a judging panel – which could include teachers, administrators, leadership, parents, and other supporters – reviews entries and selects first-, second-, and third-place winners.
