Lesson 4: Abuse, Disclosure, and Getting Help

The concepts of abuse and disclosure are introduced in this lesson. Students will learn that grooming and abuse can occur in many different situations with different people in their lives. Students must realize that there is not one description of a victim or abuser. Anyone can be. Victim, and anyone can be an abuser. Therefore, it is essential for students to learn to identify the red flags and use their personal power to protect themselves and others. Students will learn about using personal power to disclose to a trusted adult or peer in order to seek help. The importance of speaking up for yourself and others is reinforced. In the opening video montage, Chris is indemnified as. “Being abused by his mothers’s boyfriend.” His story begins with his mother’s boyfriend picking him up after school. Chris is clearly uneasy with this situation. He is then approached by a friend asking if he would like to study together later. When Chris, already uneasy at the presence of his mother’s boyfriend, say he can’t, the boyfriend agrees, thus providing the opportunity for isolation. The next scene depicts Chris being given a beer by the mother’s boyfriend and being told not to tell his mom. Chris’s abuse includes experiences that are not appropriate for teens—such as being offered access to beer and inappropriate movies. These are grooming behaviors that manipulate Chris into compliance and provide the leverage to continue the abuse and keep an unsafe secret.

Please print out enough worksheets for each student that you have. Follow the prompts in the video for any discussions or instructions.