Lisa Sohn from Futures without Violence presents Start Strong, a 4-year, $18 million initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Blue Shield of CA Foundation. The campaign was for middle school students to foster healthy relationships in young teens. www.startstrongteens.org

1. 1
Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen
Relationships
Lisa Sohn
Futures Without Violence

2. 2
What We Know
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 Teens experiencing teen dating violence are more likely to
suffer long-term negative behavioral and health
consequences, including suicide attempts, depression,
cigarette smoking and marijuana use.
 1 in 3 teens said his/her partner had text messaged them
up to 30 times/hour to check on what they were doing, where,
and who with.

3. What We Know
3
 One in four teens in a relationship say they have been
called names, harassed or put down by their partner through
cell phones and texting.
 One in five teen girls and one in ten younger teen girls (13
to 16) have electronically sent or posted nude or semi-nude
photos or videos of themselves. Even more teen girls, 37
percent, have sent or posted sexually suggestive text, email or
IM (instant messages).

4. Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen
Relationships
4
 Four years: Nov 2008 – Nov 2012
 $18 million investment in 11 communities
 Focus on 11-14 year old youth
 Four core components:
• Educate and engage youth in & out of school
• Educate and engage influencers
• Change policy and environmental factors
• Social marketing and social norms change

5. Boston, MA
Providence, RIBronx, NY
Bridgeport, CT
Indianapolis, IN
Atlanta, GA
Wichita, KS
Boise, ID
Los Angeles, CA
Oakland, CA
The Communities of Start Strong
Austin, TX
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual
& Domestic Violence
Indiana
University Health
Boston Public Health
Commission
RYASAP
Bronx-Lebanon
Hospital
Jane Fonda Center,
Emory University
Catholic Charities
SafePlace
Peace Over Violence
Family Violence
Law Center
Sojourner House
5

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The Task for Start Strong
Communities
• Operate online, but offline as well
- Incorporate tweens’ everyday reality
• Engage and educate parents
• Train and partner with youth as leaders
• Create social norm change

7. AVERAGE AGE OF A START
STRONG PROJECT LEADER: 40
AGE OF START STRONG TARGET
POPULATION: 11-14

8. Generational Differences
Then Now
Go on a date
Dating was private
Sex was sex
Teens at 13
Older sibling’s influence
Dating by network
Nothing is private
Hooking up, “friends with benefits”
Teens at 10
Media’s influence

9. Digital Generation Gap
 Internet since birth and cell phones from age 11
 59% of 12-14 year olds have a cell phone
 70% use social networking sites
 68% use instant messaging
 Online persona is a continuation of their offline self
 Hesitant to express concern b/c of threat of losing phone/computer privileges
 Parents unfamiliar and thus uncomfortable with technology, and unequipped
with knowledge of how to handle today’s youth dating scenarios
Source: Pew Internet Research, 2009

10. KIDS CREATE
THE CONTENT
(With some help from adults)

11. and vote on whether other
stories describe healthy or
unhealthy relationships here

12. and vote on whether other
stories describe healthy or
unhealthy relationships here

13. 13
PSA Contests
Middle and High
School Submissions

15. http://realrobothigh.com

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In addition to online access,
what do young teens use their
mobile devices for?

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Sound
Relationships
Nutrition
Label

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22. DIGITAL
COURAGE

23. 2323
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Influencers: Parents

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How do we help parents
start the conversation?

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As much as things change…

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31. 3131
Writing & Student
Council Contest
700 Junior/Middle
School Submissions
950 High School
Submissions
300 + Power of
Words

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33. Start Strong National Program Office:
Futures Without Violence
Lisa Sohn: 415.678.5500
lsohn@futureswithoutviolence.org
www.startstrongteens.org