Red Cross helps promote healthy youth relationships

When violence occurs in relationships, it can have an immense effect on the emotional and psychological well-being of people and can influence the subsequent ways that they approach intimate connections.

Violence can encompass everything from physical to sexual to emotional abuse, and can happen to people regardless of their social, economic or cultural backgrounds.

As one of the most active charity organizations in the country, the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to raising awareness of this essential issue, as well as helping youth break free from the bonds of violence and abuse by gaining helpful resources.

With violence and abuse prevention programs like Promoting Healthy Youth Relationships, the Canadian Red Cross helps youth identify the signs of unhealthy connections and develop better communication skills.

Creating positive relationships
According to police reports, sexual assault is the most common crime committed against youth impacted by dating violence, while physical assault is the second.

In 2010, more than 54,000 youth aged 15 and older were affected by dating violence in Canada, while studies show that that one in 11 teens across the country are physically abused by partners each year.

In addition, youth impacted by violence are reported to be more likely to sustain health problems, including physical injuries. These frightening statistics highlight how essential programs like Promoting Healthy Youth Relationships can be.

The program, which will receive $300,000 in funding from the Government of Canada over the next three years, offers a mix of online training and in-person programs facilitated by youth.

Promoting healthy youth relationships helps more than 50,000 young Canadians annually by providing them with the tools they need to recognize and overcome the challenges of abusive relationships, and is available to youth of all genders.

Showing that you care
Relationships can be a source of love and support for most, but for some, they can turn negative and potentially impact individuals for years to come. Similar to the psychological effect of emergencies and disasters, people can carry the internal wounds that an unhealthy relationship creates for years to come.

With your support, the Canadian Red Cross can continue to offer a wide variety of programs that strive to increase violence and abuse prevention. With the resources that these provide, people can gain greater interpersonal skills and confidence, which will help promote healthier relationships.

By choosing to donate online or at a local office today, you can help make a difference in the lives of those in need and ensure that they have access to programs they vitally deserve!