YWCA Dating Safe Program
Programs & Services

YWCA Dating Safe

YWCA Dating Safe provides youth with the knowledge and skills to develop healthy relationships that are free from violence and abuse. 

Delivered in schools in Vancouver and Surrey, Dating Safe works with students in Grades 8 to 10. The program was designed to address the rising rates of intimate partner violence in Canada.

Topics Covered
  • Introduction to Healthy Relationships
  • Stereotypes and Emotional Literacy
  • Boundaries and Social Media
  • Consent and Understanding Dating Violence
  • Bystander Intervention
  • Grade 8 Review, Identities and Power
  • Understanding Values and Complexities in Relationships
  • Breakups and Communicating Feelings
  • Relationships and Online Interactions
For More Information

To access the Dating Safe curriculum for educator-led workshops:

Contact Ry A., Youth Programs Supervisor & Facilitator
ravola@ywcabc.org

What is Youth Dating Violence?

Youth dating violence is aggressive, violent, threatening and/or manipulative behaviour from a partner in a romantic or sexual relationship. Violent relationships in adolescence can have a serious long-term impact on victims who are at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior or further domestic violence.

What Does it Look Like?

Use or threat of physical force

Examples of physical violence:

  • hitting
  • kicking
  • shoving
  • attacking with a weapon

Limiting individual's sexual agency

Examples of sexual violence:

  • unwanted sexual contact (kissing, touching)
  • forced sex
  • sexual coercion
  • restricting access to birth control (removes agency from own sexual health)

Using technology to engage in dating violence

Examples of cyber violence:

  • monitoring (e.g. using social media)
  • threatening or harassing online
  • sexting coercion

Manipulation, controlling partner's behaviour and agency, and undermining/belittling

Examples of emotional and psychological violence:

  • insulting
  • threatening
  • monitoring
  • isolating
  • restricting access to friends
  • stalking
Is it Common?

Approximately 30% of Canadian youth are victimized by Youth Dating Violence at one point in their lifetime.

37% of trans students, 21% of sexual minority students, and 10% of non-LGBTQ students reported being physically harassed or assaulted because of their gender expression.

10-30% of Canadian teens report being victimized by cyber dating violence.

Preliminary research strongly suggests that both transgender and gender non-conforming youth experience youth dating violence more than their cis-gender counterparts.

Need Help?

If you are experiencing or know someone experiencing dating violence, please visit the sites below for support: 

Immediate and caring support, information and, if necessary, referral to a local community or social service agency.

Phone: 1 (800) 668-6868

Website

24-hour confidential crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence and provides information and referral services to victims of crime.

Phone: 1 (800) 563-0808

Website

The Youth Against Violence Line is a 24/7 anonymous and confidential line to talk to trained support workers. You can contact them about bullying, gang activity, harassment, intimidation, sexual exploitation and many other issues. This service is also available in multiple languages.

Phone: 1 (800) 680-4264 

Text: (604) 836-6381 

Email: info@youthagainstviolenceline.com

Website

The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or you can use the chat box at the link below to connect with a counsellor online.

Phone: 1 (855) 242-3310

Website

Information, education, support groups, advocacy and referrals for lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and questioning youth, adults and older adults and allies.

Phone: (604) 684-5307 

Website