Assault on our Future – the impact of violence on young people and their relationships

This report examines how violence against women specifically affects children and young people. It looks at the nature of violence they experience in their homes and their own relationships, its impacts, and the priorities for action if efforts to prevent violence among, and protect, young people are to be successful.

In part 4 – addressing violence the writers argues that 

• Programs have been shown to produce positive and lasting change in attitudes and behaviours.
• Prevention strategies can lessen girls’ and women’s risks of victimisation.
• School-based efforts are complemented by strategies of community engagement and community mobilisation.
• Violence prevention efforts must be sensitive to cultural contexts and the needs of different groups.
• We must address boys and men
  • Efforts to engage boys and men must involve not only education but activism.
  • Prevention programs should be tailored for males’ levels of risk
  • We must continue to address girls and women
  • Historically, girls and women have been the focus, and this can be victim-blaming.
  • Programs and strategies for males and females should collaborate and complement each other.
  • We must address children and young people already living with violence 

It also argues that vastly increased efforts need to be made, and resources mobilised, at national, state, and local levels, in the area of primary prevention of violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on children and young people.

A multi-faceted prevention strategy, which engages boys and young men, is essential to maximising positive outcomes for all children and young people. It should be recognised from the outset that there are no ‘quick fixes’ for the long-term social change towards which prevention efforts are directed. However, there is a sound and growing evidence base for the effectiveness of this work.

Read more http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/uploads/media/23546WhiteRibbonYouthSummary.pdf