March 2015Vol. 16, No. 2Web Series Promotes Healthy Adolescent Relationships
Developed to promote healthy adolescent relationships and well-being and prevent gender-based violence, a new eight-episode web series follows three young men in Boston, MA, and their struggles related to relationships, trauma, violence, and identity. Each 60- to 90-minute video addresses multiple themes, such as:
- Healthy vs. unhealthy relationships
- Sexual assault and supporting survivors
- Childhood abuse/sexual abuse and supporting survivors
- Challenging norms associated with relationships and sex
- Gender expectations related to relationships and sex
- Young parenthood
- Family conflict
- Conflict resolution
- Sexual orientation
- Homophobia
- Masculinity
- Sexting and social media
An accompanying facilitator discussion guide is available and serves as a tool for teens and adults to continue conversation and further explore the many themes presented in the videos. Organized by episode, the guide provides highlights of each episode, the themes important to each, and a variety of multipart discussion questions intended to encourage further dialog on the issues. Important lessons learned (the "take away") and anticipated challenges to each question are also presented.
The web series and accompanying guide were developed by the Boston Public Health Commission, Division of Violence Prevention, in 2014 as part of the Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships Initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. To access The Halls and related resources, visit the FindYouthInfo.gov website at http://engage.findyouthinfo.gov/node/51079.