I Am a Youth Worker

As teachers, coaches and school counselors, you already have their hands full to overflowing with shepherding students through the school system. How can we ask you to help prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) among the young people in your charge, too?

Because we know you care – and know you can help.

“Teachers are well placed to play a pivotal role in identifying and responding to domestic violence. … Although staff in schools may not be able to stop the violence at home, they are in a position to make a considerable difference in children’s lives.” (Frontiers in Psychology, 2018)

We’re here to help you identify and respond to IPV.

What Does Trauma Look Like in Young People?

What may appear as ADHD, disobedience, depression, emotional instability, a learning disability or another condition may come from trauma.

• Trouble focusing, paying attention or following instructions
• Difficulty solving problems
• Inability or unwillingness to understand consequences
• Fearful of perceived threats
• Frustrated or confused easily
• Aggressive or withdrawn

Disruptive behavior can easily be dismissed as needing discipline. Knowing when and how to seek advice from other professionals is key, though, as case reviews repeatedly cite failure to respond early as a factor contributing to more serious problems later.

If you are in immediate danger,
call 911 right now.

LoveIsRespect.org offers support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships.

The Search Institute identifies 40 developmental assets that teachers, coaches and counselors can build into their youth programs. The more of these assets a child owns, the less likely they are to engage in violent or risky behaviors and the more likely they are to grow up healthy and strong.

Teen Dating Violence is Already Happening among the Youth You Serve

• Nearly 1 in 11 female and about 1 in 15 male high school students experience physical dating violence each year.
• 1 in 9 female high school students experiences sexual dating violence each year.
• Indiana ranks third highest out of 30 states in the percentage of high school students reporting sexual dating violence during the past 12 months. The median national percentage is 10.6 and Indiana’s percentage is 12.6 (National Institute of Justice. (2011). Program Profile: Safe Dates.)
• Of all the people who are victims of sexual or physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lives, 25% of women and 15% of men first experienced the violence before age 18.

Teens don’t automatically know how to recognize unhealthy relationships, and they don’t know which adults are safe to talk to about their feelings. If a young person says they’re uncomfortable with another person’s behavior, listen seriously. Using statements like, “You’re young. You’ll have plenty of relationships,” or “It wasn’t meant to be,” can make teens feel as if their feelings don’t matter or are being minimized.

Know your school or organization’s policies on intimate partner violence. If policies don’t exist, become a champion for their adoption – because you’ll need them one day. Contact our Youth Council for information and ideas.

Youth Workers Need the Support of their Organizations

To have any hope of preventing domestic violence, you absolutely need the support of your leaders. Not being able to help a young person who is reaching out can be emotionally exhausting. You need proper training and resources to equip young people to help each other and themselves seek out healthy relationships. And, schools and youth organizations must enact policies stating what behaviors won’t be tolerated, so young people will comfortable coming forward.

To learn more about what you and your school or organization can do to address IPV and teen dating violence, contact Melissa Echerd at (317) 386-5061.