YWCA Metro St. Louis Hosts Healthy Relationship “Teen Table Talk” in partnership with I Define ME Movement

Teen dating violence (TDV) is common and has become a widespread issue. There are various forms of abuse which include, physical, sexual, psychological, financial, stalking, and digital abuse. According to data from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey:

• 26% of women and 15% of men who were victims of sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime first experienced these or other forms of violence by that partner before age 18.
• Nearly 1 in 11 female and approximately 1 in 14 male high school students report having experienced physical dating violence in the last year.
• About 1 in 8 female and 1 in 26 male high school students report having experienced sexual dating violence in the last year.  

Recognizing the prevalence and impact of teen dating violence, efforts to provide early education on healthy relationships before high school is not only necessary but critical. Teens who endure dating violence are particularly susceptible to repeating these harmful patterns later in life.

Keeping this information and the staggering statistics in mind, YWCA, in partnership with the I Define ME Movement, presented this program to four groups of 7th and 8th grade students, both girls and boys, as part of the school’s “Monday Mindset” schedule. This interactive presentation reached approximately 50 students and focused on building a strong foundation for healthy relationships—not just romantic ones.

During the session, students participated in lively discussions and training on key relationship principles, including recognizing early red flags, setting healthy boundaries, fostering open communication, practicing mutual respect, and building trust.

By fostering a supportive environment, the initiative helped students recognize unhealthy behaviors and empowered them with tools to cultivate respectful interactions. These conversations are crucial in breaking cycles of abuse and ensuring young people have the knowledge and confidence to navigate relationships safely.

YWCA Metro St. Louis is dedicated to promoting awareness, providing healthy relationship education, and offering support for teens who experience or witness dating violence. For more information about education programs, contact Antoinette Roberts: aroberts@ywcastlmo.org or 314.531.1115 Ext. 5345. 

ABOUT YWCA

YWCA Metro St. Louis is the region’s leading advocate for the safety, security and stability of women and children, serving more than 10,000 women and families annually. The mission of YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA offers crisis services and rapid re-housing for victims of sexual and domestic violence; services for pregnant women, Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education; career readiness and economic empowerment services for all clients; and racial justice educational programs.