"NO Means NO"
Power-Child e.V. reinforces with its own play for primary school children
"How good it feelsWherever I go
If I don't want something
I just say NO!"
A quote from Power-Child's own production "NO Means NO!" for the reinforcement of determination in primary school children. The message sounds simple enough, but it is anything but a matter of course for many children. Recent estimates have shown that every fourth to fifth girl and every eighth to ninth boy has fallen victim to sexual violence at some point in their childhood. Self-confident children, who have learned to say no are clearly less threatened, as a number of different studies have proven.
With its play "NO Means NO!", non-profit association Power-Child e.V. strengthens primary school children in a fun way and thus exerts a lasting effect in reinforcing self-confidence in children, to prevent sexual violence. This is the goal of the association that was founded in 2002.
Only four years later, Power-Child e.V. was on the road with different plays at primary schools and kindergartens all over Germany. The preventive theatre project at primary schools was evaluated at the Protestant Academy in Nuremberg and received top grades. With "NO Means NO!", the association now has put its expert knowledge and experience in the area of sexual abuse prevention into a play of its own. "NO Means NO!" is an intelligent, child-challenging play with lots of music. The story is exciting with plenty of scenes that also give the children some good laughs.
The concept was developed by Power-Child expert Ulrike Herle, psychologist and for several years active in the area of sexual violence protection. As production partners, Power-Child was fortunate in acquiring the services of author team Kerstin and Mathias Forster and the renowned Kleines Theater – Kammerspiele in Landshut, Bavaria (General Director: Sven Grunert).
The plot: in various episodes, the two protagonists, Anna and Anton, become familiar with their own limitations and learn how to protect themselves. This way Anna gets support from her parents after a thoughtless assault by her cousin, and Anton says no to a man who tries to lure him with the latest model cellphone.
"NO Means NO!": helps the young spectators to understand the principle and the protagonists on stage. For the six-to-ten year-old age group, this play becomes a courage-reinforcing experience right in the middle of the school day.
The Power-Child production is part of a total concept for the prevention of sexual violence: true to the motto: "Say YES to Yourself and NO at the Right Moment!" Power-Child e.V. involves parents, teachers, school administrators and counseling centers to create a social network for the prevention of sexual violence against children.
