Violence Prevention

Empowering youth to build futures free from relationship abuse.

Purpose

Our team is passionate about promoting a culture of respect and nonviolence with youth. Through facilitated group interactions we are able to cultivate opportunities to develop healthy relationships while preventing possible violent behaviors in the future. We engage, educate, and empower youth to foster relationships free from abuse, whether it is while dating, with a partner, or with family members and friends.

Programs & Activities

At YWCA Spokane we work to build healthy relationships, prevent relationship abuse, and break cycles of violence through the following programs and services.

Healthy Roots – Free and customizable educational series for young people
Teen Council – Empower youth to become change leaders in their community
Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP) – Free early learning program for 3-4yrs olds and support for their families
Transformations Camp – A week-long summer empowerment camp centering the experiences of young women of color.
Transformations Self-Care Celebration – A special annual event focused on self-care, mental health, healthy relationships, and belonging.

In addition, we offer an online educational series called Pathways Forward where we meet with local experts to hold progress-minded discussions about topics like prevention and dating abuse and identify ways to move forward. We also share content relevant for youth through our agency’s Instagram account. Check us out at @ywcaspokane and share with friends!

Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about our efforts to promote healthy relationships and preventing future violence with Spokane area youth, please contact Lizbeth Reyes, Prevention Coordinator, by emailing lizbethr@ywcaspokane.org or calling 509-370-9024.

Our Prevention work is supported by our Prevention Team, a trained group of passionate Domestic Violence Advocates. Learn more about our Prevention Team.

Why This Work Is So Important

According to LoveIsRespect.org, 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before they become adults. And nearly half (43%) of U.S. college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.

Approximately 12% of heterosexual high school boys and girls in the US report having been physically victimized by a partner in the previous year.
Approximately 13% of LGBTQ adolescent girls and 9% of adolescent boys report experiencing physical violence by a dating partner.
Psychological abuse occurs at even higher rates in adolescents, with approximately 20% of heterosexual students, and 29% of LGBTQ students reporting having been psychologically abused by a partner.

Additional Youth Services

Child & Youth Support Advocacy – Support with navigating family trauma from exposure to domestic violence.
Child & Youth Mental Health Therapy – Evidence-based therapy to help a child and family move forward after abuse.
Save Haven – Trauma informed on-site care for kiddos while their caregivers access services.

Read our Blog!

Our blog features stories and stats about youth, relationships, and health. Check it out!