Feeling Yes, Feeling No
A film series teaching children to recognize and avoid sexual assault.
Feeling Yes, Feeling No (French: Mon corps, c'est mon corps) is a film series produced and distributed by the National Film Board of Canada, designed to teach children aged six to twelve how to avoid sexual assault by people they trust, family members, and strangers. The films are recordings of a play that began development in 1980 in Vancouver, British Columbia, by Green Thumb Theatre, and was completed in 1982 by Dennis Foon, Wendy Van Reisen, and Fran Gebhard. The series was released in 1984, directed by Moira Simpson, and includes accompanying printed matter intended for use as a six-hour sexual assault prevention program.
- field
- Child sexual assault prevention education
- nationality
- Canada
- known_for
- Film series teaching children to distinguish between safe and unsafe physical intimacy
- producer
- National Film Board of Canada
- release_year
- 1984
- director
- Moira Simpson
Lore & Background
The program originated as a play developed by Green Thumb Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia, starting in 1980. Dennis Foon, Wendy Van Reisen, and Fran Gebhard finished writing the play in 1982. Initially performed in workshops with children, the play was very successful. The filmed version consists of four films directed by Moira Simpson and released in 1984, along with printed materials. The program is six hours long and explains the difference between good and bad physical intimacy, using the terms 'yes' feelings and 'no' feelings, and focuses on role-playing.
Reader's Guide
The Feeling Yes, Feeling No series is significant as an early, structured attempt to prevent child sexual assault through education, targeting children aged six to twelve. It was first implemented in primary schools in British Columbia and later spread to other Canadian provinces. A 1991 study involving 286 children in grades three and four who went through the program, compared with a control group of 113 children, found that the program increased children's knowledge about sexual assault and slightly improved their ability to distinguish between safe and unsafe situations. The series remains a notable example of using theatre and film for public health education, though its specific impact beyond the 1991 study is not detailed in the source.
Did You Know?
- The series was produced and distributed by the National Film Board of Canada.
- The play that the films are based on was developed by Green Thumb Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia, starting in 1980.
- The program uses the terms 'yes' feelings and 'no' feelings to teach about physical intimacy.
- A 1991 study found that children who went through the program had greater knowledge about sexual assault than a control group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Feeling Yes, Feeling No?
Feeling Yes, Feeling No (Mon corps, c'est mon corps) is a Canadian educational film series produced by the National Film Board of Canada that teaches young children how to recognize and resist sexual abuse from trusted adults, family members, or strangers. It was released in 1984 and is built around a recorded stage play.
Who is Feeling Yes, Feeling No made for and what does it teach?
The series targets children aged six to twelve and focuses on helping them distinguish between safe and unsafe physical intimacy. It gives kids concrete language and strategies to say no and seek help, supported by printed materials structured around a six-hour classroom program.
Who created and directed Feeling Yes, Feeling No?
The films were directed by Moira Simpson and are recordings of a stage play that originated with Vancouver's Green Thumb Theatre. The play began development in 1980 and was completed in 1982 by Dennis Foon, Wendy Van Reisen, and Fran Gebhard.
What format is Feeling Yes, Feeling No in?
Rather than a traditional scripted film, the series consists of recordings of a live theatrical performance. This stage-play format was chosen to make the material feel more approachable and relatable for its young audience.
Why is Feeling Yes, Feeling No considered significant in Canadian media?
It stands out as one of the earliest dedicated Canadian multimedia resources specifically addressing child sexual assault prevention for young children. By targeting the ages of six to twelve and emphasizing abuse from people a child already trusts, it filled a gap that few educational programs of the era addressed directly.
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