Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

Girls Kick Butt! Program

The Girls Kick Butt! program is an empowerment conference of teen-centered activities that are educational and fun. The purpose of the program is to reduce a young woman's risk of sexual violence, build self esteem and teach healthy behaviors. The conference is for middle and high school girls aged 12 to 18, is free and includes lunch. It is offered all day on a Saturday, 10 times a year. It is not a therapy group and no one is asked whether they have been sexually assaulted.

Girls Kick Butt! offers sessions on several topics and the content is different each month to keep it interesting for participants who attend the conference more than once. Our main focus for programming is rape awareness. This includes activities that address: reducing your risk of sexual assault; false beliefs people have about rape; healthy and unhealthy relationships; how to be supportive of someone who has been raped; and verbal and physical self defense.

An additional topic of focus is Women's Health Issues. This includes a presentation from an expert who may address topics such as: puberty; drugs and alcohol; positive body image; STD's and birth control; stress management; and breast cancer awareness.

We always have a self-esteem building art activity as part of the day and we offer other fun activities such as: videos with facilitated discussion, cultural awareness, career awareness, role plays, music, poetry, yoga and dance.

We get very positive feedback about the program from the girls who attend, and from their parents and guardians. Many girls like Girls Kick Butt! so much that they come over and over again. Coming to this program gives young women an opportunity to learn new things, have fun, ask questions, and meet other teenaged girls. It also gives teens a chance to see the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and meet some of our staff.

The enormous success of this program in addressing the needs and concerns of teenaged
girls is most evident in the heartfelt comments they write on their conference evaluations.

Here is what girls have to say about Girls Kick Butt!:

• “This conference is AWESOME! You can be who you are and make new friends. I want to learn
more about self defense next time.”

• “What I like about Girls Kick Butt is that it’s very positive and the people make you feel
comfortable.”

• “GKB is interesting and fun. What I liked most is how the teachers involved us. There was
nothing I liked least. I want to learn more about what to do if you are raped.”

• “I felt awkward at first, but then everything was interesting. I liked arts and crafts time best. I
wouldn’t try to improve the conference. It’s perfect. Keep the same topics.”

Here is what parents have to say:

• “It’s perfect for girls, it helps them, and I love that my daughter is going. She makes better
choices, it’s made her more responsible, and she is more open with me and talks. She doesn’t let
the boys walk all over her, and she is more aware of what a good boyfriend is.”

• “My daughter used to walk with her head hanging down. Now she walks with her head held
high and she feels much better about herself. I know she learns a lot because when she comes
home from GKB, she tells me about everything that has been talked about during the day.”|

• “I like it a lot and so does my daughter – it’s a great idea. She comes home and tells me all about what she has learned and we talk about these issues. I can hear she has learned new things.”

• “I love the conference, my daughter loves it, I am so glad she goes. She is in a better mood, her spirits are higher, her hygiene has improved and she takes more care in her looks. Her self-esteem is much better, and she feels better about herself.”

• “My daughter talks more and has opened up more to talk about sex and babies and those topics.
My daughter won’t let anyone take advantage of her again. She knows how to take care of herself
better and I pray nothing happens again. We love Girls Kick Butt! Just keep educating them!”

How Do I Register My Teen?
To register your teen, call Girls Kick Butt! Coordinator Stefanie Workman at (216) 619-6194 ext. 105. Registration for the next month’s conference starts the Monday after each conference and closes when all 15 slots have been filled. Registration is done by phone ONLY - you must call to register.

The conference usually fills quickly, so it is best to call early on the Monday after the conference. Girls may call to register themselves, or their parent or guardian may call. An adult who is not a parent or legal guardian may register a girl ONLY if they are the person who will be transporting the teen to and from the conference, and the permission form MUST be signed by the parent or legal guardian.

The permission form can be turned in when the teen arrives at the conference. Because the conference has a size limit of 15 girls, no more than 3 girls may register together.