Youth Violence Prevention: Impact of Healthy Relationbships
Abstract
Background:
The Georgia Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Program (GA DPH IPP) addresses shared risk and protective factors for all forms of youth violence in Georgia, including bullying, suicide, dating violence, and more.
Methods:
Multiple forms of youth violence have shared risk and protective factors, meaning if we address one, we address them all. GA DPH IPP is community data-driven with a focus on collaborating with community partners. GA PREVAYL (Preventing Violence Affecting Young Lives) partners with organizations such as the Teen Matters clinic, domestic violence organizations, and school administration to build and improve upon prevention programs addressing multiple forms of violence through healthy relationships education. Teens are viewed as experts in their experiences and are empowered to share feedback and provide consultation throughout programs.
Results:
GA PREVAYL has co-created a peer ambassador group for healthy teen relationships with local stakeholders, the local domestic violence shelter, Project Safe, and Teen Matters. This program includes sessions on Teen Dating Violence, the relationship spectrum, communication and boundaries, consent, and event planning. There have been 2 cohorts since Fall 2022 with 14 graduates. The groups have created events and activities like Build-a-Bae, a tabling activity promoting healthy relationships which reached ~500 students. Most recently the group completed a photovoice project that depicted photographic images of healthy relationships from the youth perspective.
Conclusions:
For youth engagement to be successful it must be student-led. Activities need to be relevant and interactive, not only based on what has always been done or what adults think would work. Plain language is vital in these activities to communicate effectively with teens.
Keywords
violence prevention, youth engagement, teen dating violence
Conflict of Interest Form
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Youth Violence Prevention: Impact of Healthy Relationbships
Background:
The Georgia Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Program (GA DPH IPP) addresses shared risk and protective factors for all forms of youth violence in Georgia, including bullying, suicide, dating violence, and more.
Methods:
Multiple forms of youth violence have shared risk and protective factors, meaning if we address one, we address them all. GA DPH IPP is community data-driven with a focus on collaborating with community partners. GA PREVAYL (Preventing Violence Affecting Young Lives) partners with organizations such as the Teen Matters clinic, domestic violence organizations, and school administration to build and improve upon prevention programs addressing multiple forms of violence through healthy relationships education. Teens are viewed as experts in their experiences and are empowered to share feedback and provide consultation throughout programs.
Results:
GA PREVAYL has co-created a peer ambassador group for healthy teen relationships with local stakeholders, the local domestic violence shelter, Project Safe, and Teen Matters. This program includes sessions on Teen Dating Violence, the relationship spectrum, communication and boundaries, consent, and event planning. There have been 2 cohorts since Fall 2022 with 14 graduates. The groups have created events and activities like Build-a-Bae, a tabling activity promoting healthy relationships which reached ~500 students. Most recently the group completed a photovoice project that depicted photographic images of healthy relationships from the youth perspective.
Conclusions:
For youth engagement to be successful it must be student-led. Activities need to be relevant and interactive, not only based on what has always been done or what adults think would work. Plain language is vital in these activities to communicate effectively with teens.
