During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world got to learn about the trauma of isolation and the power of connection. Support from friends, family, and community is critical in the lives of survivors of violence. Domestic violence is a big issue, but everyone can do something about it. That’s why WSCADV creates and distributes practical tools such as our Friends and Family Guide in English and Spanish. Since 2021, we have reached over 4,200 participants in our annual Refuse To Abuse® 5K with two powerful messages: Domestic violence is 100% preventable, and survivors: You are not alone.
Our community education and engagement included:
- Equipping 1,226 programs, organizations, and communities across the country with our revolutionary community educational tools, In Her Shoes: Living with Domestic Violence, In Their Shoes: Teens and Dating Violence, and Caminando en Sus Zapatos, our Spanish-language training kit, including virtual versions.
- Speaking to media about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, public policies, and legislation on survivors of abuse.
- Bringing together 1,400 participants each year for our annual Refuse To Abuse® 5K to celebrate the resilience of survivors, send the message that everyone can do something to end domestic violence, and share violence prevention tools, and raising $466,218 for violence prevention.
- Celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Refuse To Abuse® partnership with the Seattle Mariners, a media campaign to promote healthy, respectful relationships featuring Mariners players and managers.
Spotlight: Team Up Washington
Using sports as a platform to end sexual assault and dating abuse, our Team Up Washington program begins by expanding the reach of Coaching Boys Into Men and Athletes As Leaders, two violence prevention programs for high school athletes. You don’t need an advanced degree to help prevent violence: Everyone can play a role, and the adults in young people’s lives can educate, empower, and support youth.
Athletic coaches play an extremely influential and unique role in the lives of young men. Coaches are poised to positively influence how young people think and behave, on and off the field. Coaching Boys Into Men is the only evidence-based prevention program that trains and motivates high school coaches to teach their young male athletes healthy relationship skills and that violence never equals strength.
Athletes As Leaders is a program for high school athletes on girls’ sports teams. Athletes are empowered to take an active role in promoting healthy relationships and ending sexual violence. They are encouraged to be leaders in changing social norms at the school to a culture of safety and respect. This promising program is based on research and best practices in sexual assault prevention.
Over the past three years, Team Up Washington has trained 267 high school coaches, youth mentors, and advocates with the tools they need to implement these violence prevention programs.