It’s important to encourage participation in the discussion and model the type of behaviour we expect from students.

If a few people monopolize conversation, the experiences and insights of many students will remain hidden. Providing safety means encouraging participation, stopping anyone from monopolizing the discussion, but not putting anyone on the spot who might feel uncomfortable talking about the digital stories.

Be careful to avoid generalizations, stereotypes, such as “boys will be boys,””girls are powerless victims” or “men commit violence” (as opposed to some men).

We suggest that for some discussions, a class be divided into single-gender groups to provide more safety and let certain things come out that might not in a mixed group. If you do this, make sure they don’t become sessions to dump on the other gender, and also make sure that when you come back together, the groups listen to each other.

If applicable, try to mix young people into groups that reflect the ethnic and cultural mix of your class. If someone wants to talk about his or her own culture’s experiences in terms of violence against women or gender relations, that’s great, but be careful not to put someone on the spot.

Since many students have experienced violence, these exercises and activities sometimes provide the safety they need to come forward and share their experiences.

These are usually questions starting with “how,” “what” and “why“. For example, “How does this affect you?” “Why is this an issue?” “What can be done to change this situation?”

When a student introduces a controversial point, try to separate fact from opinion. Should a disagreement occur, encourage students to challenge the ideas without putting down the person expressing them. Communicate to the students that the purpose of these discussions isn’t to win an argument but to share information and ideas.

Violence and relationships are emotional topics so discussions can become heated. Consider discussing why this is happening.

When discussions get off track, try to reintroduce the original issues. For example, “Terry, I think you have a point there, but can we get back to talking about …”

Ask everyone to listen to each person’s point of view before responding. It’s important to understand what a person is trying to say, but also to provide safety and trust in the group.

If you can’t answer a question, say so. Ask others if they know. If it’s important, promise to look into it.

This can provide safety and, if it’s a class where boys talk more, it gives girls a chance to speak. When the two groups join, make sure the discussion doesn’t become a face-off.

The environment will be poisoned for everyone by words and ideas that are sexist, racist or biased against particular groups based on their nationality, age, sexual orientation, religion or physical abilities. In case any students think you are being arbitrary, our provincial human rights codes protect people from discrimination or harassment based on these characteristics.