Youth Program
Addressing Domestic Violence from Day One
DVPN has dedicated a program focused on youth because teen dating violence is often a risk factor to future victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and other types of violence. It is also a situation that affects far too many of our young people with nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
Indiana ranks 3rd highest out of 30 states for sexual dating violence in high school.
That’s far too high. We believe domestic violence prevention starts early, which is why we’ve dedicated significant resources to engaging young people.
The aspects of our youth program include:
Youth Network
Since domestic violence prevention starts early, we intentionally engage young people and provide significant youth, parent, and educator resources.
Youth Network is a leadership after-school program that goes more in-depth on teen dating violence. We connect with students through information sessions, trainings, games, activities, crafts, skill-building courses, and more. We provide them with resources to navigate and explore healthy relationships and tips to become activists to end violence and impact cultural understanding in their peer groups.
We provide parents with vital information that includes a curated list of resources designed to help parents discuss difficult topics with the young people in their lives. We also have a list of potential ways parents can get involved alongside their young people to address issues around teen dating violence.
“Youth Network helped me become more confident, open-minded, and motivated to help others.”
The Change Project
Educator resources include resources for school personnel and other youth workers that address dating violence and social issues. The main resource is The Change Project, which DVPN created to bring a healthy relationship curriculum into the classroom.
Our Youth Program staff go onsite, whether a classroom or after-school setting, to administer our healthy relationship curriculum. We bring resources that include toolkits and videos brought together from various sources. We also have our Title IX training that goes more in-depth with students and educators.
For information on how to get involved in our youth program, whether that’s through Youth Network, The Change Project, requesting resources, or if you’d just like more information, contact Gabe at gabriel@dvpnindy.org.
By eliminating harmful stigmas and changing cultural norms, we will see a better tomorrow for our children and grandchildren.
Looking for Adult Training on Teen Dating Violence? Visit our Adult Training Services for more info.
Change Starts Here.
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