Empowering Teens: Preventing Dating Violence through Positive Youth Development

During Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month we are reminded that dating violence is a pressing issue that affects millions of adolescents worldwide. It encompasses a range of behaviors, including physical, emotional, and verbal abuse, as well as controlling and manipulative tactics. However, with the right approach, we can empower teens to foster healthy relationships and intervene when necessary. At Ruby’s Place our youth programs employ a best practice called Positive Youth Development (PYD). 

Understanding Positive Youth Development

At the core of preventing teen dating violence lies the Positive Youth Development framework. PYD emphasizes building on strengths and fostering the positive development of young people. It focuses on nurturing their assets, such as self-esteem, communication skills, and healthy relationship dynamics, while also addressing risk factors that may contribute to violence.

The Four Principles of the Positive Youth Development Framework from youthpower.org

Assets: Youth have the necessary resources, skills and competencies to achieve desired outcomes.

Agency: Youth perceive and can employ their assets and aspirations to make or influence their own decisions about their lives and set their own goals, as well as to act upon those decisions to achieve desired outcomes.

Enabling Environment: Youth are surrounded by an environment that develops and supports their assets, agency, access to services, and opportunities. This environment also strengthens their ability to avoid risks and stay safe, secure, and protected, as well as, live without fear of violence or retribution. An enabling environment encourages and recognizes youth while promoting their social and emotional competence to thrive. Ruby’s Place provides this kind of environment in its youth shelters and in it’s drop-in teen center “The Hangout.”

Contribution: Youth are encouraged, recognized, and able to be involved in and lead through various channels as a source of change for their own and their communities’ positive development.

The Results of Positive Youth Development

Teens empowered by programs in the PYD framework, such as those offered by Ruby’s Place, are prepared for successful and non-violent relationships. They are also prepared to speak up and take action to prevent harm in the community.

Empowering teens to prevent dating violence involves both individual and collective efforts. Here are some practical strategies they can implement:

1. Educate Yourself: Learn about the warning signs of dating violence and healthy relationship dynamics.
2. Speak Up: If you see or hear something concerning, don't hesitate to intervene or seek help from a trusted adult.
3. Support Friends: Be there for friends who may be experiencing dating violence, offering non-judgmental support and connecting them with resources.
4. Promote Respect: Foster a culture of respect and consent within your social circles, challenging attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate violence.

Conclusion

These foundational principles and practices build healthy communities and interfere with cycles of violence across a multitude of issues including adult interpersonal violence, sex trafficking, and gang violence.  An investment in youth can lead to anti-violence dividends that last for decades and perpetuate over generations.  At Ruby’s Place we are committed to investing in and growing both youth who have experienced violence and youth who are at high risk of violence.  We partner with schools, health clinics, youth programs, and more in that quest. 

We welcome you to come and help us! Together, let's work towards a future where every young person can thrive in relationships built on respect, empathy, and equality. 

Written by: Beth Quirarte, Chief Strategy Officer of Ruby’s Place, February 2024