Preventing Violence in Our Communities

#MeToo, #TimesUp, and #BelieveSurvivors have dominated the public narrative over the past couple of years, highlighting the long-term impact sexual violence has on survivors. At NJCASA, we strive to create safer communities free from sexual violence and we believe that everyone has a role to play in preventing violence in our communities.

Mental health professionals, athletic leaders, and parents and caring adults all have unique roles to play in preventing sexual violence. In 2019, NJCASA started working with New Jerseyans in each of those areas to help them learn about primary prevention and become leaders in the movement to end sexual violence.

In 2020, NJCASA is working with three local sexual violence programs—the Center for Family Services in Camden County, the Center for Empowerment in Middlesex County, and the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Warren County—to create safer communities across New Jersey. Together, NJCASA and each local sexual violence program will host brainstorming sessions where mental health professionals, athletic leaders and coaches, and parents and caring adults can learn how to promote sexual violence prevention at work and in their communities.

Contact Aaron Potenza at apotenza@njcasa.org to learn more or join a session!

MENTAL health professionals | athletics | parents and caring adults |

Mental Health Professionals

People who work in the field of mental health can play an important role in establishing community norms that work to prevent violence, coercion, and exploitation within treatment settings. Learn more about how you can incorporate prevention practices into your work!

Resources

Compassionate Practice to Prevent Sexual Violence: Mental Health Professionals (fact sheet)

Engaging Communities, Preventing Violence: Mental Health Professionals (blog)

Shareable Graphics

Additional Resources

NJCASA’s Road to Prevention campaign provides a variety of examples to help everyone promote prosocial norms within their workplaces and beyond
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
NJCASA’s Sexual Violence 101 fact sheet
Preventing Sexual Violence – CDC
Sexual Violence & Health – National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Exploring Empathy’s Role in Promoting Positive Social Change – NJCASA

Athletics

There is an ever-evolving pool of research that highlights the important role that youth coaches play in the lives of young people, both on and off the field. Find out how you can support creating a generation free from sexual violence.

Resources

Game Plan to Prevent Sexual Violence: Athletic Leaders (fact sheet)

Engaging Communities, Prevention Violence: Athletic Leaders (blog)

SHAREABLE Graphics

additional Resources

NJCASA’s Road to Prevention campaign shows how coaches and athletes can contribute to anti-violence values.
Raliance Sport + Prevention Center
Athletes as “Men of Strength” – Men Can Stop Rape
Athlete Ally
Athletes as Leaders – PreventConnect
Addressing Victim-Blaming Comments – blog by NJCASA
Youth Activists – National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Healthy Masculinity – Princeton University
Creating a Safe Space for Survivors: Engaging Faith Leaders & Coaches – NJCASA
Partners in Prevention: Coaching Beyond the Scoreboard – NJCASA

Parents and Caring Adults

As someone who interacts with children on a regular basis, you have a unique opportunity to equip the next generation with the skills and tools to create safer communities by reducing the likelihood of causing harm to one another. The formative years of childhood provide an opportunity to model positive behaviors and attitudes, which can help create a world free from sexual violence for future generations.