Each February, the Youth Against Violence (YAV) leaders design and launch an entirely youth-led campaign at their local high schools in support of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). This year, YAV is highlighting the inter-generational connections between children who witness or experience abuse in their homes and the research that shows that nearly a third will go on to experience abusive behavior in relationships as adults. Ending the cycle of interpersonal violence starts by repairing the harm at our individual and collective roots. When we heal our roots, healthy, resilient, respectful relationships can grow and flourish.
YAV leaders have spent the last several months designing this year’s theme, logo, and outreach activities designed to engage with other youth during TDVAM. Building on their weekly group activities, the YAV, and their YESS adult allies, tabled at multiple high school campuses for TDVAM, raising awareness about healthy teen dating relationships. YAV leaders asked their classmates “What do you expect from a healthy relationship?” YAV wanted to encourage their classmates to reflect on what things they want to nurture and grown in their own relationships? What types of new “roots” do they want to establish? Which “roots” needed to be repaired or released? What new root patterns do they want grow? And what positive behaviors or expectations do they want to fortify? Using the example of adding a new leaves on a tree, the students wrote down their reflections, expectations, and aspirations for healthy relationships.
You can follow along with the YAV leaders all year long by following their Instagram account @youthagainsttdv or subscribing to their youth-led podcast, “1-in-3”.
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- Repair the Roots
