The #NobodyToldMe campaign highlights the path to healthy relationships. (Photo by William Stitt on Unsplash)
Young people are challenging the way they’re talking about sex and relationships. Using the hashtags #EverybodyToldMe and #NobodyToldMe, Project DOT is flipping the script on the #MeToo discussion to focus on and highlight signs of a healthy relationship.
When it comes to relationships we identified the healthy ways to love with our youth. #NobodyToldMe #ProjectDOT pic.twitter.com/aABVVpSMG3
— NYCAASA (@NYCAASA) June 20, 2018
Project DOT, a program spearheaded by the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault (NYCAASA), hopes to engage young people of color and LGBTQ+ folks to discuss and educate one another about healthy sex and sexual violence prevention.
The program combines community-responsive prevention education with social media campaigns and youth-led community mobilization opportunities. The main goal is to engage youth from underserved communities who lack access to traditional prevention programming when it comes to positive messaging and self-empowerment about healthy relationships, prevention of sexual violence, and sexual education.
DOT stands for Dream (of a world where sexual violence is nonexistent), Own (our thoughts and unique voices), Tell (our stories and bring new knowledge back to our communities).
The youth-driven program launched this social media campaign to promote healthy and empowering messages about sex and relationships among youth.
Using #NobodyToldMe, the national social media campaign will continue through June 29.
Project DOT leaders are posting through NYCAASA every day about what they wish they were informed about, such as healthy versus abusive relationships, how to take safe action when they see unhealthy relationships, and what love really is and is not.
The program’s mission is to engage with young folks across various underserved communities including LGBTQ+, Black, Latinx and East, Southeast, and South Asian groups.
Project DOT has conducted previous social media campaigns, such as #firstgensextalk, which encouraged young first-generation American folks to discuss sex openly with their immigrant parents.
We are proud of our #ProjectDOT participant Safia Chowdhury, for sharing her insight on street harassment w/ @wnyc. #FirstGenSexTalk #SVFreeNYC https://t.co/sXUgXap3LS
— NYCAASA (@NYCAASA) February 9, 2018
Heartbreak is something I’ve always wished could be cured by my mom who I know loves me so much but I can never talk about these things with her #FirstGenSexTalk @wnyc
— AS (@aaroninbrooklyn) February 13, 2018