Courtesy of Futures Without Violence
Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) is an evidence-based curriculum that engages male middle school and high school athletic teams to reduce partner violence and increase positive bystander behaviors. Athletic coaches are uniquely poised to positively influence how young men behave both on and off the field. During this 12-week program, CBIM coaches spend about 15 minutes one a week during practice having a conversation with their team about topics like harmful and respectful behaviors, gender equity, and bystander intervention.
Southwest Pennsylvania has one of the largest implementations of Coaching Boys Into Men in the country. Southwest PA Says No More has organized a Community of Practice involving seven local domestic violence and victim services agencies covering seven counties, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and researchers from Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine to disseminate the program throughout the region. This dissemination includes an ongoing community evaluation consisting of session observations with teams and coach interviews. The information collected in this evaluation is used to further tailor the program and provide additional training and resources to coaches.