Frequently Asked Questions

Studies have shown that when people learn social emotional learning at a young age, they do better later in life. They are 46% more likely to have a full-time job later in life. Less likely to go into public housing, on public assistance, or be in the criminal justice system. 54% more likely to get a high-school diploma. Two times more likely to get a college degree in early adulthood. And have a lower chance of being divorced later in life. In another study, they found that those who were in said program were happier. Had fewer psychiatric or substance abuse problems. Were less likely to have risky sex. And were arrested less often for severe or drug related crimes. Not only this, but in the same article it acknowledges the fact that social emotional learning students were found to be 42% less likely to be involved in physically aggressive episodes on school campuses.

SAFE Hearts stands for Sharing Awareness for Family Empowerment. 

Damsel in Defense’s SAFE Hearts family education line is designed to help adults and children navigate the most important, yet difficult conversations; to empower children to take ownership over their own hearts and bodies, raise their awareness, and give them the ability to protect themselves against anyone who may try to harm them.

When you turn a difficult subject like assault into a simple kid-versation about safety, the ice isn't as scary to break. Just talk to your kids in terms they are ready for, and be real. They'll absorb much more than you think!

It is our responsibility to do everything in our power so that our children don’t experience childhood trauma. This is why we have fun and effective resources available! The SAFE Hearts line focuses on topics like body autonomy, the buddy system, coercion, firearm safety, tricky friends, victim blaming, pornography, child grooming and heart restoration for those who may have already experienced trauma. 

Damsel in Defense is committed to protecting children everywhere, which is why 5% of all SAFE Hearts sales goes towards counseling services for childhood sexual abuse survivors and 25¢ from every Damsel in Defense product benefits the Damsel House Project that rescues and mentors girls and young women in sex trafficking across the globe. So when you make a purchase, you’re protecting and defending tiny hearts everywhere!

The absolute most common cause of mental illness is acute stress brought on by life events. (Angermeyer et al., 2006). This shows that any sort of intense, negative, level of stress could very well cause many different forms of mental illness. Just knowing this is not particularly specific in regards to when said stress occurs, or said mental illnesses form. However, this in accordance with the article Long-term Benefits of Social- Emotional Learning for At-Risk Students, narrows it down quite a bit more. In this article, it cites a national survey of 12 to 17 year old people. This survey showed that 39% of people in that age group stated to have witnessed physical violence. 17% stated to have been physically assaulted themself. And 8% stated to have been sexually assaulted. (Gunn, n.d.). At the least, this shows that 39% of people in the given age group have been exposed to acute stress. The stress that causes many forms of mental illness. While this is not an issue that everyone faces, nearly 40% of people are at risk for developing a mental illness within or before the ages of 12 to 17. Providing these books to children younger than that or at the beginning of that age bracket could teach them how to deal with these stressful situations, as well as how to avoid them altogehter.