Sex Signals incorporates scripted dialogue, audience-driven improvised scenes, and a focused, presenter-led discussion designed to analyze and interrogate the components of a rape-supportive culture. The program also utilizes humor as a strategic teaching device, engaging audiences and framing the issue in ways that reduce resistance to the content, and build comprehension.
Program Name | Level of Evidence | Format | Target Audience | Special Features |
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Sex Signals
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Supported By Evidence |
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Program can be tailored to specific audiences like student athletes or Greek populations. It can also be adapted for more conservative or progressive institutions. |
Participants will understand:
Delivered by two well-trained presenters, the program begins by examining the messages audiences have received about sexual health and intimate relationships in general. This provides a baseline that enables the audience to agree on what the components of a healthy, respectful relationships are. This component is intentionally inclusive of a range of gender identity and orientation.
The program then explores the ways in which our culture justifies unhealthy sexual behavior, engaging audiences in a critical analysis of how entitlement and privilege enable individuals to perpetrate sexually violent acts, and explicitly situates consent as the necessary, principled component of any relationship. It also addresses the difference between risk reduction and its emphasis on the victim’s “responsibility” for protecting themselves, and the critical role a community can and must play in reducing the risks for the vulnerable among them.
Last, the final program component is structured like a talk show, where the presenters play an interviewer and a college student defending his buddy from a recent accusation of rape. The college student tells the narrative from his perspective, and describes his role as his buddy’s “wingman,” targeting first-year girls to attend his buddy’s parties; ensuring the girls came alone; furthering the girls’ intoxication; and, enabling his buddy to isolate the girls in order for him to “get laid.” This scene challenges audiences to take the view of the bystander not only to evaluate that role as a contributor to sexual violence, but also to emphasize their role as upstanders and interveners. This scene then leads to a focused discussion on the role of intervention, and enables audiences to identify intervention strategies that build on the earlier programmatic components.
A one-time presentation, lasting between 60 and 90 minutes depending on client needs.
Two educators will travel to campus to conduct the presentation. Administrators must provide two sturdy armless chairs and two cordless lapel microphones. The educators prefer to present on a stage but may be able to adjust to a different setting (however, they do not perform in gymnasiums or atriums). Catharsis can accommodate groups of up to 400, and do multiple presentations in a day if audience numbers exceed 400.
General college audience (co-ed). Programs can be tailored for specific audiences (e.g., members of Greek life, athletes, etc.)
Catharsis Productions’ prevention programming is grounded in theory from multiple disciplines; but at its core, it is moral education infused with best practices from prevention education and public health. Our programs utilize audience interaction, the latest research, facilitated dialogue, and the strategic humor to engage participants in a focused discussion that goes beyond checking a box.
Moral education aims to increase trainees' moral reasoning, helping them become respectful, just, and productive members of their community. Successful moral education is dialogical, problem-posing, and utilizes scenarios. We use facilitated dialogue about real-world moral problems for participants to reason about, and real-life situations for them to practice ethical behavior. It helps participants consider that what they may have believed to be acceptable behavior based on social norms, may have been harmful.
Best practices for prevention education and creating attitudinal transformation include relevance, motivation, and solid arguments grounded in a sound theory of change (Nation et al. 2003, Knowles 1984, Petty & Cacioppo 1986). Learners need to feel motivated to learn. Creating a positive emotional environment can contribute to motivation. Emotions are related to acceptance and engagement (Broughton, Sinatra & Nussbaum 2011, Heddy & Sinatra 2013). Too often prevention curriculum is developed without considering the emotions that are present. Kraft, Lodge, and Tabor (2016) found that learners have an emotional reaction to a controversial topic or object first. The initial emotional response then dictates what sort of information the brain prioritizes to either support or refute the new data (Kraft, Lodge & Taber, 2015). Many prevention programs fail before they start as they do not consider the audiences emotional attachment to the learning material and the importance of establishing a respectful space where fears are reduced and shared values placed at the center. Putting emotions first creates a positive learning environment which increases motivation in learners (Kraft, Lodge, & Taber 2015). Catharsis Productions creates a positive learning environment by utilizing humor and dialogical, rather than didactic, presentations often found in topics of a legal or controversial nature. When used appropriately, humor is positively associated with learning, retention, recall of information, and increased engagement (Martin, Phulik-Doris, Larsen, and Grey 2003).
One peer-reviewed study reported that those who viewed Sex Signals were less likely to report having experienced sexual victimization than those in a control group who did not view the program (Rothman & Silverman, 2007). To our knowledge, this is the only peer-reviewed research study of Sex Signals. Catharsis conducts internal studies of Sex Signals. One of those studies also indicated a reduction in the reported prevalence of sexual victimization for those who viewed Sex Signals.
Sex Signals has been presented at over 900 colleges and military installations, including:
Sex Signals can be tailored for different institutions. For example, colleges can arrange a program for students in fraternities and sororities. The program can also be tailored for colleges that consider themselves more "conservative" or "progressive." The performances involve one male and one female actor, but some elements of the performance can be tailored to address LGBT issues specifically.
Visit our website at www.catharsisproductions.com
Email us at info@catharsisproductions.com or call 312-243-0022
Rothman, E. & Silverman, S. (2007). The Effect of a College Sexual Assault Prevention Program on First-year Students’ Victimization Rates. Journal of American College Health, 55(5), 283-290. doi: 10.3200/JACH.55.5.283-290