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Optional Assignment: Prevention Project 3 page paper and materials (reference at least 5 citations) 10 minute presentation 30 Points This assignment involves the development of prevention programming or materials to reduce prevalence or harm from your selected topic. You may choose to create a strategy that may include websites, posters, brochures, social media campaigns, events, videos or other prevention material related to your topic.

Purpose The purpose of this assignment is to reflect on evidence informed strategies to reduce violence and to develop a creative strategy of your own. Knowledge and Skills After completing this assignment, you should be able to:

• Discuss various approaches to prevention and/or harm reduction as they relate to your form of violence.

• Examine the relative effectiveness of approaches at the individual, community, and societal levels.

• Use your understanding of best practices to inform your own creative approach to prevention.

• Present a rationale for your strategy in written and oral communication. Tasks Complete the following tasks to prepare for and complete the assignment:

1. Review empirical research related to the effectiveness of prevention strategies for your issue or similar forms of violence.

2. Develop your own approach to reduce prevalence or harm due to this form of violence. 3. Develop the prevention materials. 4. Write your paper on your reflections and process of developing the approach based on the research. 5. Submit your assignment in class, including both your prevention materials and paper. 6. Present your materials and a discussion of how you made the choices of what to include in class (5 to 10 minute

presentation) Your paper and presentation should include the following information:

1. What is the intended goal of the prevention materials?

2. Why did you choose the format/medium that you chose (curriculum, social norms campaign, environmental, etc.)? How is this informed by community need and research on effectiveness?

3. How did you decide what content to include? How did you develop your message?

4. What is the scope (primary, secondary or tertiary) and target (potential victims, perpetrators, bystanders, etc.) of your materials? Why do you feel this is most effective and appropriate based on available research?

5. Is the material targeted toward a specific population (age, gender, profession, etc.)? If so, why?

Tips for Success

✓ Consider prevention strategies that have been used with your form of violence as well as similar forms. Many approaches may be effective in addressing multiple forms of violence.

✓ Although you should use creative approaches to developing your strategy and materials, the approach should be grounded in an empirical understanding of community needs and evidence based practice.

✓ Your sources should primarily include empirical research articles. However, you may also choose to include sources from national organizations, such as the CDC or advocacy organizations, so long as they reference empirical research.

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✓ Organize your writing according to the topics provided to ensure that your paper and presentation is easy to understand and addresses all the required elements.

✓ As you are describing your own thinking, it is acceptable to use words such as “I” and “me” in your paper. However, sources that informed your perspectives should be cited.

✓ Your presentation should not attempt to cover all aspects of the paper. Instead, it should focus on describing what your strategy is and a rationale for the approach that focusses on the elements that you find the most interesting or important.

✓ Practice your presentation to ensure that you can present your material clearly in the time provided.

Grading Criteria

Your grade is based on the extent to which you meet the following criteria:

1. Critical thinking in your reflections on the sources and the needs of the community. 2. Development of thoughtful and informed recommendations and materials based on research on the topic. 3. The appearance and accuracy of your materials. 4. The extent to which you address all of the questions in the assignment and rubric to describe your decision

making process. 5. Quality of the paper with regard to writing. Your paper should be succinct and clearly written. You should

proofread your paper carefully. 6. Clarity of your presentation.