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Special Report: Partners and Peers - Sexual and Dating Violence Among NYC Youth : New York Teens Victimized at Rate Nearly Twice National Average

The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault and Columbia University Center for Youth Violence Prevention just released results from a three-year survey on sexual and dating violence among New York City High School students. Information for the study was based on anonymous surveys of New York City high school students who were asked about their personal experience with sexual and dating violence. [Read more.]

Youth Action Council

Download the YAC information sheet (PDF)

Including young people's perspectives is an integral part of the Alliance's goal to develop effective prevention and response programs for sexual violence and dating violence amongst youth. With the development of a Youth Action Council (YAC) composed of New York City youth ages 14 to 21, YAC members play a vital role in the Alliance and other allied organization's advocacy and research projects by providing ideas and feedback about youth and youth's needs. YAC assists program planners to better understand the concerns and priorities of young people, their families, and their communities.

The development of the YAC has been guided by a participatory and skill development approach that emphasizes involving young people in decision-making and leadership. Not only do YAC build skills among its members, but their involvement encourages civic responsibility and community service, helping young people feel valued by addressing issues important to them.

Youth input was a crucial component to the development of the YAC. The Alliance held two preliminary meetings with youth in May 2007 to identify issues of concern and to gather data on experienced sexual violence, how to prevent the abuse from occurring, and the role of pop culture in these issues. Young people highlighted that they want to be part of the YAC because they can make a difference in the lives of their peers, because they want to help end sexual violence amongst youth, they want to voice teens' concerns, and they want to raise awareness about these issues.

Through Youth Action Council meetings, youth have learned about primary prevention of sexual violence, or identifying the root causes of that violence. One such activity that has helped us explore with youth the root causes of and solution to sexual violence is the ‘problem tree' activity. Through this activity, youth can examine the root causes of sexual violence (the roots of the tree), the effects of sexual violence (the leaves) and what can be done to change the situation and who can help (the flowers and fruit).

Currently, the Alliance is working to enhance YAC members’ experiences with the Youth Action Council, and want this to be beneficial to YAC members and the Alliance. We are working on the development of a Prevention Training that will explore the connections between oppression and violence. Our goal is to work to prevent sexual and dating violence amongst youth in NYC. This training will include the analysis of gender roles, violence and the media, unhealthy and healthy relationships, among other topics. In addition, we are also working on the development of a PAR Toolkit that will be youth-focused so YAC members can learn to utilize these methods in a research project.

Youth are gaining valuable skills and peer-to-peer education from involvement in the YAC. The Alliance believes that New York City has the ability to overcome youth dating and sexual violence. Our Youth Action Council is in a prime position to help us improve the lives of youth through empowerment and education.