DATE SAFE: Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program
DATE SAFE is YWCA Union County’s teen dating violence prevention initiative, created to help young people build safe, respectful, and healthy relationships. Through school-based education, youth leadership, caregiver engagement, and community outreach, the program equips teens and trusted adults with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to recognize warning signs, set boundaries, practice consent, and seek help early.
Empowering Teens Before Violence Occurs
Teen dating violence can have lasting emotional, physical, and mental health impacts. DATE SAFE focuses on prevention by reaching youth with age-appropriate, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed education before unhealthy relationship patterns escalate.
What the Program Offers
- School-based prevention workshops that teach healthy relationship skills, consent, boundaries, digital safety, warning signs of abuse, and how to seek support.
- Youth leadership and peer advocacy opportunities that prepare teens to become ambassadors for safe and respectful relationships.
- Parent and caregiver education that helps trusted adults understand teen dating violence, communicate with youth, and respond effectively.
- Community awareness and outreach that expands access to prevention resources across Union County, with a focus on underserved and high-risk populations.
- Staff training and curriculum development to ensure consistent, high-quality, evidence-informed programming.
Who We Serve
DATE SAFE primarily serves high school students throughout Union County. The program also engages parents, caregivers, educators, and other trusted adults who can reinforce healthy relationship messages and help young people access support when concerns arise.
Our Goals
- Increase youth understanding of healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors.
- Strengthen communication, consent, boundary-setting, and help-seeking skills.
- Build youth leadership capacity through peer advocacy.
- Improve adult awareness and confidence in supporting teens.
- Expand equitable access to prevention education and resources across Union County.
Help Us Build Safer Futures
With continued support, YWCA Union County can expand DATE SAFE, reach more teens before violence occurs, and strengthen prevention resources for youth, families, schools, and communities. Together, we can help young people build relationships rooted in respect, safety, and dignity.
To learn more, partner with us, or support DATE SAFE, contact YWCA Union County at 908.355.1995 or visit ywcaunioncounty.org
