Suggested Grade/Age Range: Grades 7-8

Activity Objective: The objective of this activity is to help youth become aware of the continuum of harassment and assault as well as behaviours that can qualify as criminal offences.

Materials Required:

• Criminal or Jerk Behaviour Scenarios Sheet for facilitator to read out
• Two signs: ‘Criminal Behaviour’ and ‘Jerk Behaviour’

Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Print out needed materials
• Paste the ‘Criminal Behaviour’ sign on one end of the classroom and ‘Jerk Behaviour’ on the other end

Task Time: 40 minutes

Activity Description:

1.       Tell the class that together you will be exploring a few scenarios where the behaviour described qualifies as either being “criminal” or “jerk” behaviour. After you read the scenario, individuals are to choose which one they think it is and move to that side of the room

2.       Gather the whole class near the middle of the room. Read out the first scenario and give individuals time to choose the side of the room they want to move to. Invite a few individuals to share their reasoning for their choice before reading out the answer. Discuss the implications of each scenario (see notes under each scenario) and allow time for the class to respond

3.       Continue Step 2 for each scenario

4.       Point out that “jerk” or “criminal” behaviour is on a continuum:

• This is sometimes tricky because “jerk” behaviour can tip over into “criminal” behaviour without us realizing
• We need to think thoroughly about our choices and their consequences before initiating a behaviour because behaviour we may not think of as being “jerk” or “criminal” can actually be so. We need to think about how our behaviour can impact the other person before engaging in it
• When thinking through the consequences of our choices, we need to recognize that our behaviour can have long-term impacts

5.       Also emphasize that as the individual who is the victim of various behaviour, we need to listen to our intuition - no one has the right to touch us or make us feel uncomfortable/unsafe. We need to get help if we are in a situation where we feel uncomfortable or unsafe. If in the moment, we cannot get out of the situation, we are not to blame. As soon as it is safe and possible, we need to get help from a trusted adult

Activity Extensions:

Instead of reading out the scenarios, they can be assigned to be acted out by small groups

Additional Comments:

Additional Resources:

Refer back to the module discussion questions for the definition of harassment and assault as well as some of the legal implications for youth