Episode #24 / Shifting Relationship Conversations with Relation-Shift Founder Justine Finn, Ed.M - a podcast by Gameday Media Enterprises

Megan talks today with Justine Finn, who founded Relation-Shift at the Harvard Innovation Lab in order to end sexual violence, promote healthier relationships and create safer schools. 1 in 3 girls in relationships experience some level of abuse and 40% of sexual assaults are experienced before the age of 18. Relation-Shift aspires to help those in the K-12 space establish expectations and responses to violence or bullying to send the message that this behavior is harmful and deserves to be addressed.

She shares practical first steps for schools to start making progress in this space and understanding what is happening. One great line she offers to take the temperature of relationship dynamics you may not fully understand, such as a teacher sensing something is amiss in students interacting with one another, is to say, "Are we treating one another with respect" to help remind students that they do each have agency in the situation. She notes that while every community is its own unique environment, the issues are generally the same. For every community or family, establishing expectations and consequences up front is helpful in combatting some of these issues, especially around technology.

She reminds us that while it is best practice to start empathy/relationship conversations at a young age, it is NEVER too late to have these conversations with your child. Bringing up these topics using situations we see on tv shows or in music as conversation starters is a great way to enter into a discussion.

http://www.relationshiftproject.com/

https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/

The Mask You Live In - Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc45-ptHMxo

http://therepresentationproject.org/

Killing Us Softly 4 - Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWKXit_3rpQ&t=
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