Canadian Women’s Foundation approach to teen healthy relationships
For 15 years, the Canadian Women’s Foundation have been investing in teen healthy relationship programs; the last five of which have been multi-year investments. These grants focus on school-based healthy relationship programs and were developed as a key strategy to prevent violence against women and girls. In these programs, teens learn the warning signs of abuse; which behaviours help to create a healthy relationship, ways to show mutual respect, and tips for making safe dating choices. Skills are taught through a combination of classroom work, discussion, role play and crafts. The work is often lead by trained co-facilitators, an adult and a youth, so that participants feel like they are learning from peers.
A recent evaluation of these programs revealed some impressive results:
- Eighty three percent of teens who participated in a violence prevention program said they learned how to recognize an abusive relationship and now know what to do if they or someone they know is being abused
- Sixty percent used these new skills in their own dating relationships and credited the program with helping them to choose the right partner or leave an unhealthy relationship
- Sixty per cent of students in a high school with a violence prevention program noticed a decrease in violence and bullying in their school and in the broader community.
- Thanks to funding from Status of Women Canada, we launched a national learning strategy to share violence prevention initiatives and provide support for new and current programs for teens.
All You Need is #HealthyLove
This Valentine’s Day, make a commitment to healthy love. Healthy love goes beyond giving and receiving gifts like flowers and chocolates. It’s about creating a foundation of respect and equality in all relationships.
Healthy Love Is:
- For everyone. It’s not just about couples. It includes friends, families and even yourself.
- For every day. It’s more than a special day on the calendar. It’s a commitment to treat each other with respect every day.
- Working towards building a more equitable society.
Making a #HealthyLove commitment is easy.
Want to support teen healthy relationship programs across Canada? Find out more about the programs Canadian Women’s Foundations funds and make a donation today!
