For Immediate Release: 8/15/2024

Contact: [email protected]

“We know that ‘tell your teacher’ can’t be the only solution to bullying and harassment.”

NEW YORK — Right To Be, a leading organization dedicated to ending hate and harassment in all its forms, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative “Right To Be You(th)” curriculum. Developed specifically for young people in grades 8-12, this curriculum equips students with practical strategies to address bullying,hate and harassment in their schools and communities.

“We know that ‘tell your teacher’ can’t be the only solution to bullying and harassment. Youth are capable of so much more,” said Emily May, president and co-founder of Right To Be. “Our program not only provides the theory, but also the skills and tools for youth’s toolboxes to act so that students feel confident in their ability to intervene and make a difference, regardless of their background or personality.”

The curriculum centers around Right To Be’s 5Ds of Bystander Intervention: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay and Direct. Through interactive lessons and activities, students learn how to effectively apply these strategies in real-life situations. Key topics include bystander intervention, recognizing and addressing different forms of disrespect, and building their personal action plans and resilience strategies. The program guides youth in cultivating their skills from within, empowering them to become active allies in varied social settings.  

With research showing that 67% of people have applied the bystander intervention skills they learned in our trainings, Right To Be You(th)’s focus on addressing bullying and harassment at an early age is critical. Studies have shown that experiences of bullying and harassment during adolescence can have long-lasting effects on mental health, academic performance, and social relationships. By providing resources and interventions early on, Right To Be, in partnership with teachers and other program facilitators, will not only equip young people with the skills and confidence to intervene but also fosters a culture of respect that extends into adulthood. Early intervention not only mitigates the immediate harm caused by bullying but also helps cultivate healthier and more inclusive communities for generations to come.

The development of the comprehensive curriculum has been informed by a variety of research tools and collaboration efforts: from a successful pilot  training approximately 100 students at The Academy of Urban Planning and Engineering (AUPE), in Brooklyn, NY, in June 2023, through beta testing, and collaboration with a variety of youth stakeholders.

Ms.Rosie Flore, a teacher at AUPE who has delivered the training in 7 classrooms, said that “there are now many students using the bystander intervention vocabulary to identify when bullying and harassment is starting, which she has had never seen previously.” “I’ve really seen a lot of growth. It manifests in really small ways,” Ms. Flore said. 

Right To Be You(th)  includes a variety of resources such as assessments, group work, scenarios, videos, slide decks, guided discussions, and exercises for independent student learning and reflection.

The program consists of 13 lessons designed to be flexible and easily implemented by teachers and facilitators. Each lesson includes a curriculum packet with lesson plans, activities, student workbook, teacher guide, and parent/guardian info page. Additionally, teachers receive comprehensive support, including orientation sessions and ongoing assistance from Right To Be.

We have also created a scholarship program and a fund aimed at supporting schools in need.

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Right To Be is a people-powered movement working to build a world free of harassment and filled with humanity. We are a team of educators, motivators, and facilitators who are listening, guiding, and cheering you on. Every day, we train hundreds of people to respond to, intervene in, and heal from harassment. We hold space for people experiencing harassment to share their stories for affirmation and support. And we prepare new leaders to create workplaces, schools, and communities around the world that are filled with humanity. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.righttobe.org or https://righttobe.org/youth/ Follow Right To Be on Twitter and Facebook at @righttobeorg.