What is the VSAP Project?

Violence and sexual assault against women is a potential threat to the health, safety, and lives of all women, particularly teenage girls. It is also preventable.

Sexual assault and violence against women can be reduced through education, by teaching females how to avoid becoming a victim and how to fight back if prevention fails. Unfortunately, violence and sexual assault prevention (VSAP) instruction provided by public school districts is often inadequate. This project is designed to address that need by offering a two-part curriculum through download from this website. The first part is a violence prevention unit. The second part is a self-defense unit that employs easy, common sense martial arts techniques, which can be taught by an instructor who is not necessarily a martial arts expert. The curriculum is available at no cost to any school or organization that caters to adolescent girls and does not profit from use of the program*. The website serves both as a resource and curriculum source for instructors as well as a supplemental curriculum website for students.

This website originated as a graduate project in Boise State University's Educational Technology program. It is maintained by its author, Ken Niezgoda, with assistance from numerous subject matter experts and contributions from supporters.

* Schools and organizations may incur some incidental and supply costs, which should be minimal. Schools and organizations may charge for classes under certain conditions. Some costs may be incurred for recommended materials, such as text books and striking pads, which can be acquired from third-party vendors. Media and other costs may also be incurred for printing lesson plans, ordering program on CD (optional), customized instructional development (optional), etc. Contact us if you have additional questions regarding the program or typical costs required to implement. Please note additional conditions and restrictions in syllabus.