Coaching Boys into Men
Men – as fathers, brothers, coaches, teachers, uncles, and mentors – have a role to play in coaching boys into men. The Futures Without Violence, formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund, Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) program invites men to utilize their influence to unique position to prevent domestic and sexual violence. First launched in 2001, in partnership with the Advertising Council, CBIM’s core goal is to inspire men to teach boys the importance of respecting women and that violence never equals strength. CBIM began as a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign and included TV, radio, print, and online components. The original CBIM campaign garnered well over $125 million in donated media and generated grassroots efforts in communities around the country.
Since its 2001 launch, CBIM has been transformed from an awareness campaign into a comprehensive violence prevention curriculum for coaches and their athletes. The Coaching Boys into Men leadership program equips athletic coaches with strategies, scenarios, and resources needed to build attitudes and behaviors that prevent relationship abuse, harassment, and sexual assault.
The CBIM Coaches Kit curriculum consists of a series of coach-to-athlete “teach-easy tactics and trainings” that illustrate ways to model respect and promote healthy relationships and choices among young men. The CBIM Card Series instructs coaches on how to incorporate the philosophies associated with teamwork, integrity, fair play, and respect into their practice and strategy routine. Check out our CBIM Coaches Kit!
Currently, researchers from the UC Davis School of Medicine and the Harvard School of Public Health are collaborating with Futures Without Violence to address the social context and gendered attitudes that promote intimate partner violence and sexual assault among adolescent male athletes. A sixteen school randomized control trial is currently being conducted in Sacramento, California, supported by the Centers for Disease Control. It is expected that the education about abusive behaviors and gender equitable attitudes that CBIM provides will translate into increased bystander interventions by male student athletes to stop disrespectful and harmful behaviors witnessed among peers.
Data was collected from approximately 2000 student athletes and 120 coaches. We anticipate having preliminary findings to share during the summer of 2011. As for a preview of what we expect to report, we are seeing statistically significant increases in intentions to intervene and trends in the positive direction for knowledge about abusive behaviors and gender attitudes. Register for updates.
