HANDS ARE NOT FOR HURTING PROJECT
A Pledge To End Abuse & Violence
"I Will Not Use My Hands Or My Words For Hurting Myself Or Others"
School Assembly or Classroom Presentation - All Grade Levels:

I. Introduction: "We have a goal, and that is for everyone at our school to be safe. In order for that to happen, it will take every single one of us to participate in this goal."

Let’s talk about what violence and abuse are:

Question: When you hear the word violence what do you think of?
When you hear the word abuse what do you think of?
Question: How do others hurt you with their words?
Is being called stupid or ugly abusive?
Question: How do you hurt yourself with your words?
When you say "I’m so stupid". Is that hurtful?
Does that happen a lot?
Question: What words do you say that hurt others?
When do you say hurtful things?
Question: Do you think hurtful words lead to hurtful actions?
Question: How do others hurt you with their hands or actions?
Is pushing, grabbing, spitting, kicking an act of violence?
Question: How do you hurt yourself with your hands or actions?
Is smoking, drinking, drugs, self mutilation abusive?
Who can you go to for help?
Question: What can you do if you are being hurt?
Who can you go to for help?

Goal: To get the kids to talk and think about abuse and violence.
II. Refer to the Hands Are Not For Hurting Project ‘s Brochure: Main points to cover:
    • Everyone gets angry. Anger is a feeling. Violence is a choice.
    • Most violence occurs between people who know each other.
    • Abuse is: any form of mistreatment of yourself or another, which includes verbal, physical, emotional, sexual.
    • Verbal abuse is: name calling, insulting, put downs, belittling.
    • Words can hurt as much as a slap, punch.
    • Verbal abuse often leads to physical violence
You Have A Right To Live Free Of Abuse & Violence...Ask For Help If You Are Being Hurt!
The Purple Hands Pledge we are about to take is based on these two things:
Respect for self and others, and Equality

Question: What does respect mean?
Answer: To value, appreciate, care for and protect.

Question: What is equality?
Answer: Having the same value as another

Example: Use plastic and glass measuring cups filled with equal amounts to demonstrate that people are different but are of equal value.

Question: What do you do with something valuable?
Question: Do you appreciate, care for and protect it?
Question: What is the most valuable thing on earth?
Answer: You and Me and Our Precious Lives

Let’s together recognize ourselves and each other by saying:
I am a valuable, irreplaceable human being. You are a valuable irreplaceable human being.

III. "Now we will make a difference in stopping violence by taking a pledge."

Students and staff take the pledge:
"I Will Not Use My Hands Or My Words For Hurting Myself Or Others"

"You have control over your words and your behavior!"

IV. A reminder of their commitment:

Students and staff trace their hands on Purple paper, cut out the hand print and sign their name and age on the hand print. Display their hands in a prominent place as a permanent, visual reminder of their pledge.

These Purple Hands are a sign of unity and solidarity and represent a place where we can feel safe.
Note: We learn by repetition...when students and staff recite this pledge daily and see their hands displayed on the wall as a reminder, they will be more likely to honor the pledge.

V. Suggested follow-up activities for the school year may include but not limited to the following:
    • Students write essays to explain what the pledge means to them

    • Drama students create role-plays

    • Create art posters

    • Choir learn the Pledge song (CD and sheet music available)

    • Purple dress day – everyone wear purple

    • Invite parents to take the Pledge

    • Community involvement: Create posters of students/staff/parents/community partners Purple Hands Pledges to display in local businesses, ie: grocery stores, banks, public libraries, etc

    • Write letters to those you want to participate in the Pledge with you, ie: public officials, celebrities (professional athletes, entertainers,etc), see list below for more ideas. Tell them you would like to include their Pledge in your displays in your school. Use your imagination as to who you would ask.

    • Create pen pals with schools in other schools in Oregon, across the nation and in other countries who are already participating or those you want to invite to "Join Hands To End Violence"

VI. Suggested community members to invite to help solidify the message may include but not limited to the following:
    Parents
    Governor
    Mayor
    Congress Members
    State Legislative Members
    Law Enforcement
    School Resource Officers
    Fire Dept. Officials
    Medical Community Partners
    School Board Members and Administrators
    Legal Representatives; District Attorney, Judges
    County Commissioners
    Business Partners
    Civic Organizations
    Youth Programs Representatives
    Media; TV, Radio, Newspaper, Internet
Please write to us and tell us what you are doing and the results that occur. We rely on your feedback! Your ideas inspire others to follow your lead! Send us an email and tell us how you are using the Hands Project.

Thank you for your partnership for peace. We must all work together to end violence…one person at a time…one day at a time…today is the day to begin to stop the hurting!

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