1 in 7 girls in high school have been assaulted in a dating relationship. Violence prevention education helps change the social conditions that normalize violence and make it acceptable.
Dating violence is preventable and it starts with educating youth about the issue so that they can take a stand to end it! YOUth Ending Violence is a youth-driven dating violence prevention program that works to end violence in dating relationships!
The peer-led workshops focus on several different aspects of dating violence including:
- Defining dating violence
- Tactics that are used by abusive partners to maintain power and control
- Cyber misogyny and the impact of social media on violence against girls and young women
- Consent
- Healthy dating relationships
- How to help a friend who may be experiencing dating violence.
- Support and resources in the community
Youth in the workshops also have the opportunity to practice strategies on how to take a personal stance against violence and be an empowered bystander. Through the workshop and with the support of our volunteer facilitator’s participants understand that they have a role in stopping abusive and harassing behaviours against young women.
But each year our YOUth Ending Violence Program faces funding challenges. There is no secure and ongoing funding for our program. YOUth Ending Violence Team at Battered Women’s Support Services is springing into action to raise money through an Indiegogo campaign to keep our program providing education to youth to develop their knowledge on the difference between healthy and abusive relationships, discuss the role of the media in gender plays violence; and to support youth to feel empowered to speak out against dating violence and sexism.
We are creating one future together and we believe, together, we can create One Future Without Violence. $1000 helps us to provide workshops to 100 youth. Our goal is to raise $10,000.
Our program is unique and there are very few opportunities where youth have the opportunity to discuss this issue in a safe environment openly without judgement. This is one of the many reasons why in the last two years we have reached out to almost 4,000 youth through our workshops at no cost to schools and community organizations! Because our workshop is distinctive, we continue to receive a high volume of requests for workshops from youth, schools, and community centers. The need for the workshops is immense which is why it is important to keep the programming running.
Your contribution offers an educational opportunity to youth to be empowered and strong in creating a safer future for all.
Click here to donate now. Every dollar counts! Be part of creating a future without violence for all of us!
If you aren’t able to donate, there are other ways you can help:
Spread the word. Use the strength of social media to create awareness and help us to keep our YOUth Ending Violence Program running. Please share this campaign with as many people as you can through Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and blogs.
Use #OneFuture hashtag to create an online dialog.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoUthEndingViolence
Twitter: @YOUEndViolence
Website: http://www.bwss.org/services/programs/youth-ending-violence/
