How High School Coaches Can Help Stop Sexual Violence

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6831641/domestic-violence-sexual-assault-nfl-violence-against-women

In an recent Vox article, Libby Nelson highlights the work of a high school basketball coach in Juneau, Alaska. Alaska has the highest rates of any state for violence against women so John Blasco took education and prevention into his own hands. He has weekly conversations with his team domestic violence, respect, aggression, how to treat women, and sexual violence. 

I think that while, all young boys and girls need to have these conversations, athletes is good place to start. It is important to discuss with teams who are encouraged to be aggressive, that this behavior is not appropriate off the field. Currently, with so much focus on the NFL, it is especially important to reach out to young boys who may be confused about the actions of those they look up to. 

Blasco's conversations are inspired through a program called Coaching Boys into Men that was started by Futures without violence. The program has proven to be successful in reaching out to young boys through their coaches; however, my concern lies with the fact that their conversations end when the season ends. Because violence against women is embedded in our society's culture, in order to combat that, I think we need to have programs such as this happening year round for teams and starting in middle school. 


Nelson, Libby. "How High School Coaches Can Help Stop Sexual Violence." Vox. 13 Sept. 2014. Web. 30 Sept. 2014. <http://www.vox.com/2014/9/23/6831641/domestic-violence-sexual-assault-nfl-violence-against-women>.