Parents and guardians and the environment they create in their home can have significant influence over whether or not their child will: 1) perpetrate sexual violence; 2) feel safe telling if they are ever sexually harmed, or 3) ask them questions about sex and sexuality. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention list risk factors for perpetrating sexual violence including: a family environment characterized by physical violence and conflict, a childhood history of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, an emotionally unsupportive family environment, and poor parent-child relationships, particularly with fathers. Similarly, kids are more likely to talk to someone about sexual violence, sex, and sexuality with someone they trust, and with whom they have healthy and safe communication. To learn more about ways in which you can be an ally for your child and in your community, please see the resources below.

Sports are a significant part of US culture, and research has proven that coaches and peer athletes play an influential role in kids’ lives — one that can not only transform their attitudes and behaviors toward sexual violence but actually help to decrease and prevent dating abuse. Adolescents tend to spend a lot of time with their coaches and hold them in high regard, giving coaches a rare opportunity to model positive behavior. Please see the resources below to help you use your influence to create safer communities where men and boys learn that being strong means speaking out against comments and behaviors that lead to sexual and dating abuse.