Unclear Ø
Unclear with no evaluations or mixed results
Sex Signals
Alcohol /
Drugs/Tobacco
Communication
Intimate Partner
Violence
Relationships
Sexual Assault
Social
Competency
School-based
Work Site
School
Community
All Branches
TARGET AUDIENCE
This program is for college and university communities and for individuals serving on military installations (i.e., Service
Members and civilians).
SUMMARY
Sex Signals is a play that uses improvisation, humor, and audience interaction in an effort to raise awareness of and help to
prevent sexual assault.
EVIDENCE
One publication evaluating Sex Signals was identified. However, the college students participating in this study attended the
play and a separate small-group educational workshop led by a sexual assault prevention specialist. Because the typical
implementation of Sex Signals involves just the play and not the workshop, the results of this study cannot be used to
evaluate this program.
COMPONENTS
The Sex Signals play demonstrates how social pressures, gender stereotypes, communication styles, and other factors
contribute to dating challenges and how these and other issues can sometimes lead to sexual assault. The presentation
emphasizes several significant topics:
Clarifies the issue of consent (e.g., how to recognize it and how to ask for it);
Discusses the role of alcohol in sexual assault;
Places full responsibility for assault on the assailant;
Challenges audiences to examine cultural messages that place blame on victims;
Attempts to dispel rape myths; and
Encourages commitment to thoughtful and responsible intimate behavior.
Although the play educates audiences about the harmful impact of sexual assault, it ends with an empowering message.
This message is that community members can have a positive influence as bystanders when they see a situation that could
lead to sexual assault. The goal is to enable members of a community to help create a safer environment and to inspire
commitment to healthier sexual relationships.
PREVIOUS USE
Since 2000, Sex Signals has been presented more than 5,000 times to over 2 million people at over 900 colleges and
military installations in the U.S. and abroad. Since 2008, the program has been presented to U.S. soldiers almost 1,000
times, and, starting in 2011, Sex Signals was incorporated into Basic Training.
www.militaryfamilies.psu.edu
Clearinghouse@psu.edu
1-877-382-9185
April 2014
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Family Policy, Children, and Youth, U.S. Department of Defense under Award No. 201048709-21867 developed in collaboration with The Pennsylvania State University.
Unclear Ø
Unclear with no evaluations or mixed results
Sex Signals
Alcohol /
Drugs/Tobacco
Communication
Intimate Partner
Violence
Relationships
Sexual Assault
Social
Competency
School-based
Work Site
School
Community
All Branches
TRAINING
No training is needed to implement this program, as the presenters travel to implementation sites.
CONSIDERATIONS
Considerations for implementing Sex Signals include acquiring a location for the play that meets program requirements, see
the program website below; working with audience limitations (i.e., audiences of 50 to 250 are preferred); and understanding
that this is a provocative performance about a sensitive topic and that presenters are able to tailor the presentation to the
audience's needs accordingly.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
IMPLEMENTATION
If you are interested in implementing Sex Signals, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-3829185, or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
The cost of bringing Sex Signals to your site
varies. Contact Bass/Schuler Entertainment at 1Time needed for the presentation is unknown.
773-481-2600 for information. Some schools are
eligible for funding assistance; see program
website for details.
EVALUATION PLAN
To move the Sex Signals program to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one
randomized or well-designed quasi-experimental evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at
least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals.
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
CONTACT
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Catharsis Productions by phone 1-312-243-0022, email info@catharsisproductions.com, or visit
www.catharsisproductions.com/connect_with_us.php
SOURCE
www.catharsisproductions.com/sexsignals.php
www.militaryfamilies.psu.edu
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of
Family Policy, Children, and Youth, U.S. Department of Defense under Award No. 2010-48709-21867 developed in collaboration with The
Pennsylvania State University.
April 2014