The Prevention Symbol

Abstract:
The prevention symbol is intended as a visual cue to teach risk identification and harm reduction. It consists of a circle, representing "your world;" a spot in the circle, representing "risks in your world;" and a line through the circle, representing someone "drawing the line" to protect himself or herself from risk. The symbol is easily drawn and recognized and can be used in prevention campaigns in schools, classes, and peer educator presentations. Three sample exercises are provided. In the first exercise, students draw the prevention symbol on paper plates. On the back, they write a commitment for how they can "draw the line" or they submit anonymous questions; after the questions are answered, the plates are displayed in school. In the second exercise, students form a circle and toss a beanbag to each other, answering questions and thinking of one-line responses to avoid risk behaviors. In the third exercise, students ask friends and family members to draw the prevention symbol, and they in turn ask more people to draw the prevention symbol, in a competition to encourage communication and see who can collect the most prevention symbols. For some students, the prevention symbol (with all of its creative uses) could be a fun addition to an existing, comprehensive HIV prevention program. However, it is not apparent how using the prevention symbol would influence students' knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors, or how using the prevention symbol is preferable to having students come up with their own symbol. The packet includes stickers, a project overview, and a sheet describing the sample exercises.


Date Published: 1/1/1995

Pages: 2

Location Code: 2099