Promtacular: Combining prom, dancing and dating violence prevention programming

The Cambridge Public Health Department and the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women launched Promtacular, a popular workshop for teen girls, in May 2010. The program brought 50 high school students together for an afternoon workshop that challenged their preconceptions of prom, dating, and self-image.

Designed to educate girls about healthy self esteem and teen dating violence, Promtacular was conceived as a sister project to Cut It Out Cambridge (CIOC). Cut It Out Cambridge (CIOC) is an innovative domestic violence awareness program designed for salon professionals. Stylists are uniquely positioned to be invaluable and influential community partners responding to the public health issue of domestic violence. Promtacular participants were given a gift certificate to one of the trained CIOC salons.

After the Cambridge prom in 2010, Promtacular organizers received feedback that daggering, a highly sexualized popular style of dancing, had “ruined the prom”. Dance Your Prom Off: Own the Floor was created. It combines dance lessons with the successful programming of Promtacular to infuse the dance class with healthy and safe dating skills.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to demonstrate successful community programming can build on itself – Cut It Out Cambridge to Promtacular to Dance Your Prom Off; how to combine prevention education with non-traditional partners in community settings and steps to engage dance instructors, stylists, and educators to raise awareness of dating violence.