For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2012

Southcoast RAPPP and the Katie Brown Educational Program to sponsor free "Yellow Dress" event April 5 focusing on dating violence

Download the flyer for "The Yellow Dress" presentation on April 5 (PDF)

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Hospitals' Responsible Attitudes toward Pregnancy, Parenting & Prevention (RAPPP) Program and the Katie Brown Educational Program (KBEP) will sponsor a free program for parents and teens on April 5 featuring a presentation of "The Yellow Dress," a play and discussion to help deal with the problems surrounding dating violence and sexual assault.

The program will take place on Thursday, April 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the McBratney Amphitheatre at St. Luke's Hospital, 101 Page Street in New Bedford. The event is free and is open to the public.

"The Yellow Dress" is a powerful and dramatic one-woman play that tells the story of a young woman who is involved in a relationship that begins as young love, full of passion and promise, and ends in tragedy. The play will help the viewers identify the warning signs of abusive behaviors, understand the unique aspects of dating violence and sexual assault and how to help friends and family members who may be in an abusive relationship.

"The Yellow Dress" program is produced and directed by Deana's Educational Theater, a non-profit organization based in Wakefield, that uses theater as a way of educating audiences of all ages about dating violence, bullying and promoting healthy relationships. Deana's Educational Theater was established in 1994 after the death of Deana Brisbois, a young woman from Topsfield, who was a victim of dating violence.

The play will be followed by a discussion with the actors and brief workshops for parents and teens lead by educators from RAPPP and the KBEP. Topics will include gender stereotypes and how that influences expectations for dating relationships, along with recognizing healthy qualities in a dating partner. Those attending will also receive packets for teens and parents with additional information on warning signs, healthy and unhealthy relationships and additional resource information.

For more information, please contact Southcoast RAPPP at 508-995-0306 or Katie Brown at 508-678-4466.

About Southcoast RAPPP

The Southcoast RAPPP Program is an adolescent pregnancy prevention program designed to be used within the curriculum of the health or science department of high and junior high school systems. RAPPP also engages adolescents and young adults in the community through a number of outreach programs addressing youth risk behaviors.

Southcoast RAPPP has reached more than 84,000 teens and parents since its inception, including more than 50,000 teens through its in-school programs at area senior and junior high schools. Southcoast Hospitals Group — and specifically the Family Education Department at St. Luke's Hospital — developed, sponsors and administers the RAPPP Program in conjunction with school faculty and administration. All materials, models, staff support and training are free of charge to participating schools. Learn more about RAPPP at www.southcoast.org/rappp/.

About the Katie Brown Educational Program

Based on the belief that education is the foundation and channel for permanent change in attitudes and behaviors, the Katie Brown Educational Program promotes respectful relationships by teaching alternatives to relationship violence.

The KBEP has developed an innovative and interactive curriculum that is delivered to students in traditional classroom settings in public, private, and parochial schools throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The educators also teach in non-traditional settings such as drug courts, jails, group homes, summer camps, parenting classes, etc. Through these educational initiatives, the KBEP Educators work with both youth and adults. Learn more about KBEP at www.kbep.org.