Information for Self-Advocates

The information in this section is designed to help self-advocates learn how to stay safe in the community, how to know which places in their community are safe or not safe, and how to protect their rights if they do become involved in the criminal justice system. 

Power Point Presentations with Speaker Notes

Staying Safe In Your Community-Explains why it is important to stay safe; discusses crimes and the role of police officers.  Gives self-advocates confidence to tell people who try to get them to commit a crime NO, even if that person is a friend.

Stay Safe--Good Places-- Bad Places- interactive exercise shows places in the community and encourages discussion about whether a place is safe or not safe.  Ideally, instructor would take photos of local, easily recognized areas in the self-advocates' community.  Give each self-advocate a small sheet of green paper and of red paper.  Explain to hold red paper up if they think the place is unsafe and hold up green paper if it is a safe place.  Some places may be safe at some times and unsafe at others (day/night).  Discuss age appropriateness when playground pictures are shown.

Rights and Rules- Covers what rights self-advocates have if all their efforts to stay safe fail and they become involved with the criminal justice system.

 Accompanying Handouts

Behavior to Stay Safe- A document that describes behaviors that will help self-advocates avoid becoming a victim when living in the community. 

The Personal Empowerment Pledge- This document reinforces self esteem and the basic rules of staying safe in the community.   

Safety Card-  A pocket sized card with Behavior to Stay Safe on one side and Tips to Remember if you are Questioned by a Police Officer on the other.  Card has space for self-advocates to list important telephone numbers.

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