Coaching boys into men: Inspiring coaches to embrace their role in violence prevention

Men – as fathers, brothers, coaches, teachers, uncles and mentors – are in a unique position to prevent domestic violence through action and conversation.The Family Violence Prevention Fund's (FVPF) Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) campaign's core goal is to inspire men to teach boys to respect women and that violence never equals strength.

The hallmark of the program, the Coaching Boys into Men Playbook, uses “coaching” as a metaphor to both engage athletic coaches, and help them to realize the part they play in molding the attitudes and behaviors of their players. Addressing issues of respect, integrity, and non-violence, the Playbook provides “teach-easy” tactics and teachable moments that illustrate the ways coaches can role model and promote healthy choices and relationships amongst their youth. Currently, FVPF is launching a CBIM training program within public high schools for the purpose of conducting a formal evaluation. The new training program, which has expanded upon the principles highlighted in the Playbook, will take a more proactive approach to addressing the issue of violence. Expanding upon teachable moments, coaches will hold weekly conversations about topics ranging from personal responsibility, to disrepectful behavior, to relationship abuse. Following the conclusion of the evaluation, the program will be optimized and prepared for replication as a potential promising practice.