The Collins Center - Formerly Citizens Against Sexual Assault of Harrisonburg and Rockingham

Peer education is often used to generate healthier behaviors among young people.
It is about utilizing young people’s influence over one another to make positive
interventions in young people’s lives. Peer education operates on the principle that
young people are more likely to be genuinely influenced by members of their own
group of friends than by outsiders, particularly adult authorities. Peer educators
receive special training and information which they pass on to their friends (adapted
from UN Populations Fund).

The Collins Center has helped start peer-education clubs or groups in local high
schools to teach basic sexual violence prevention and healthy relationship building.
Currently, there is some form of peer education through the Collins Center in three
county and city high schools. We are also available as a resource to current peer
education groups in other schools, universities or professional settings.

For more information on peer education, please contact Trent Wagler.