Coaching More Than the Game: Teen Dating Violence Training for Student Athletes

At Branches Domestic Violence Shelter, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools in preventing abuse—and that’s exactly why we’ve brought Teen Dating Violence Awareness Training to student-athletes across the region.

Teen dating violence is a serious issue, with one in three adolescents in the U.S. experiencing some form of abuse in their relationships. To address this, our team has been working directly with athletic programs, providing training that equips young leaders with the knowledge and skills to recognize unhealthy behaviors, set boundaries, and foster respectful relationships.

“It’s a lot easier to prevent a problem than it is to deal with the aftereffects of it. If we can develop a generation of young people that understand respect, who understand healthy relationships, then we can change our entire community,” said Branches Director of Development, Sara Blevins O’Toole.

Recently, we visited St. Joseph Central Catholic Church to work with student-athletes in a different kind of training than they’re used to—one that teaches them to recognize and prevent teen dating violence. Athletes are often seen as leaders in their schools and communities, and by equipping them with the tools to recognize unhealthy relationship behaviors, they can set the standard for what respect should look like.

Why Student-Athletes?

Athletic teams thrive on discipline, teamwork, and respect, making them an ideal audience for this important message. These young athletes already have influence among their peers, and when they learn to lead with awareness and integrity, they can help create a culture where abuse is not tolerated, and respect is expected.

What’s Next? Tune Into Our Follow-Up Podcast!

To continue the conversation, we’ve released a special follow-up podcast episode featuring Amber, Sara, and Shannon, where we discuss how the training went, key takeaways, and next steps for Branches. Whether you attended the training or just want to learn more about how we can empower young people to build healthy relationships, this episode is a must-listen!

➡️ Check in with our podcast and learn more about our Teen Dating Violence Prevention Programs

➡️ Reach out to our staff to schedule training for your athletics team.

By investing in prevention education, we’re not just reducing the number of future victims—we’re building a generation that understands the importance of healthy relationships. Together, we can empower young people, prevent dating violence, and create lasting change in our communities.