Athletics are important to prevention because youth and adults respect and look up to professional athletes. Even school and community team athletes set examples through their athletic performance and their actions.
PCADV recommends two programs for young athletes
Coaching Boys into Men
Coaching Boys into Men is an evidence-based violence prevention program designed to inspire athletic coaches to teach their young male athletes about the importance of respecting themselves and others – particularly women and girls. CBIM has been researched extensively, showing positive changes in both athlete and coach attitudes and behaviors with respect to women and relationships.
Coaching Female Athletes
The second program is Coaching Female Athletes (CFA). Coaching Female Athletes is a prevention program for athletic coaches to empower young women to become leaders and role models by providing a safe space for education and for supporting each other on and off the field. The program provides coaches with a 12-week playbook to guide discussions with their athletes on a variety of issues including: gender bias and oppression of women, dating violence, self-esteem, women’s role in sports and culture, positive body image, female competition, and female leadership.