Exploring the causes and prevention of Physical abuse (domestic violence).
Grades: 9-12. Intellectually Disabled (mentally retarded) students.
Rationale: In the United States today, 42 percent of all women murdered are killed by their domestic associates, and domestic violence is the leading cause of injuries to women. Physical abuse against children is 15 times more likely to occur in families where a parent is battered. Domestic violence is a growing problem in Georgia; in 1998, approximately 50,000 calls were made to domestic violence crisis lines. Georgia family violence programs served about 15,000 adults and 10,000 children in 1998. It is important for children to learn to recognize domestic violence, either against themselves or a family member, and know how to report it to the proper authorities in order to prevent physical abuse, which is usually ongoing, from happening again.
Overview of Lesson Plan: Students will explore their own thoughts and emotions about domestic violence and learn what they should do if they, or someone they know, are victims of physical abuse.
Educational Objectives: Students will:
1. Explore in writing or drawing their feelings about physical abuse in a journal.
2. Learn about the laws against physical abuse (It is a crime for a member or former member of your family or household to physically injure you).
3. Learn how to recognize physical abuse from acceptable punishment (Georgia law allows corporal punishment but not physical injury).
4. Learn what to do if they, or a relative or friend, are a victim of domestic violence (call 9-1-1, crisis lines, social service agencies etc.)
1. Warm Up -- Students write or draw in their journals about the topic of domestic violence. Students share their responses.
2. A representative from the criminal justice system or a social service agency, will talk about the laws against domestic violence (physical abuse), and what ser...