At YWCA Missoula, we believe violence prevention starts early—and it starts with community. We’re currently exploring the idea of creating a violence prevention group for boys, and we’re inviting our community to help shape what that could look like.
Community-based programs focused on prevention have demonstrated meaningful outcomes. Research shows decreases in self-reported perpetration of violence and harassment, along with increases in equitable gender norms, awareness of sexual violence, and young people’s willingness to intervene when they witness harmful behavior. In short: when boys are given the tools to understand consent, respect, accountability, and healthy relationships, it makes a difference—not just for them, but for the entire community.
Why Focus on Boys?
Violence prevention is not about blaming—it’s about support, skills, and connection. Boys and young men often receive limited opportunities to talk openly about emotions, peer pressure, relationships, and conflict in ways that encourage growth and accountability. A prevention-focused group can create space for learning, reflection, and positive role modeling before harm occurs.
By investing in boys now, we can help foster empathy, communication skills, and healthy relationship behaviors that last a lifetime. This is a proactive approach—one that aligns with our broader mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Why We’re Asking for Your Input
While research gives us strong evidence that these programs work, we know that local context matters. To be effective, a program like this must reflect the real experiences, needs, and strengths of the young people and families in our community.
That’s why we’re launching a short survey to gather input from parents, caregivers, educators, youth-serving professionals, and community members. Your feedback will help us understand:
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What age group would benefit most
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What barriers to participation we should plan for
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What skills, topics, or supports feel most relevant
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How to design a program that is accessible, inclusive, and impactful
Our goal is not to rush into implementation, but to build something thoughtful—something that reaches the boys who would most benefit and supports them in meaningful ways. We invite you to take a few minutes to complete our survey and share your perspective. Your voice will directly inform whether and how this program moves forward, and help ensure it reflects the values and needs of our community.