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Youth Groups connect young people with professionals in their topic of choice — in this case, sexual violence prevention. While SVP groups are common on college campuses, sexual violence in K-12 schools goes unnoticed all too often. Being part of a professionally run group gives members access to resources and viewpoints from local and national organizations. Many SVP organizations offer some youth programming.

See the list below to get started on your search!

If the SVP organization near you doesn’t offer a youth program, contact their advocacy staff member to propose one! SVP youth groups require informed leadership, and one of the best ways to be informed is to work with others who have been doing this work.

If a youth group of a larger organization doesn’t seem like the right fit for your school or community, consider starting a feminist club! 

Nest Foundation provides great structure, support, and curriculum for leading a youth group at your school or community center.

Young Women of Color for Reproductive Justice is a project of Advocates for Youth that empowers young women of color to organize around reproductive justice, including sexual violence prevention.

Feminist Campus is the student organizing branch of the Feminist Majority Foundation and provides information for starting affiliate clubs.

Hollaback! is a global movement to end harassment powered by a network of grassroots activists. We work together to understand harassment, ignite public conversations, and develop innovative strategies to ensure equal access to public spaces. We leverage new technologies to bring voice to an issue that historically has been silenced, and to build leadership within this movement to break the silence.

Mentors in Violence Prevention offers trainings in bystander intervention for students, teams, and organizations.

Boys to Men’s Reducing Sexism and Violence Program (RSVP) empowers high school students to play a central role in ending gender-based harassment, abuse, and violence.

Tips: Be inclusive in your groups — remember that sexual violence can affect anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

However, you should also be explicit about whom the group is intended for. For example, is it an advocacy or education group that anyone can join? Or is it a group for those who have experienced Sexual Violence? Be sure to make such notes when advertising for members.

Organizing and running a group is a lot of work! Don’t be afraid to get advice or guidance from a trusted professional and/or adult ally.

Take time to consider and strategize how you can create and foster the safest possible space for young people to feel comfortable, supported and empowered. Not everyone is ready to share a story about their own experiences related to sexual violence.

Here are some suggestions for you as you begin to create your group:

  1. Provide resources for folks who might be suffering from experiences related to sexual violence. Distribute a list of phone numbers and websites of places where they can access support and resources.
  2. Be clear about exactly what the group is and what it is not. Is it an activist group for young people to design action campaigns or a support group for survivors to share stories?
  3. Articulate community guidelines together. Ask everyone what they need to feel safe and supported. Write down this “community contract,” invite everyone to sign it and post it somewhere visible at every meeting. The list might include suggestions such as:
    1. speak with “I” statements
    2. replace judgment with curiosity
    3. respect where everyone is on their journey
    4. step up/ step back
    5. know, respect and name your own boundaries. No one has to share anything they don’t want to share
    6. practice “calling in” instead of “calling out”
  4. And unfortunately, spaces that are publicly named and branded in any way as “feminist” or addressing issues related to preventing sexual violence are often trolled by harassers. We highly recommend the resources at HEARTMOB to help you address harassers and support the folks they target.
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