Youth Dating Violence (YDV) Intensive Intervention Program
Radius Child and Youth Services is piloting a new program aimed at supporting youth between the ages of 12-24 who have chosen to use violence in a dating relationship. Through the support of Public Safety Canada, this program will offer free, ongoing individual counselling that is evidence-based and individually tailored to the needs of each young person. To guide treatment, clinicians in conjunction with a psychologist, will complete a comprehensive assessment with the youth to identify their unique strengths, needs, and goals.
The Person is Not the Problem
At Radius we believe that interpersonal violence is a serious problem, but we do not see the young people we work with as “the problem.” YDV program clinicians will work alongside young people to heal past hurts, to support them in identifying and pursuing their goals. The intention of the program is to support youth in developing the skills and tools necessary to build a future free from violence, with the ultimate goal of disrupting future cycles of violence from occurring.
YDV is the Problem
- YDV is violence between adolescent dating partners. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, or cyber in nature.
- According to Canadian police reports, dating violence is most common between individuals aged 15-24, making up 43% of all dating violence incidents (Mahoney, 2008).
- Research conducted by Wolfe et al., (2001) found that 28% of high school students have been victims of dating violence.
- Approximately one-third of all incidents of violence in intimate relationships are not reported (Tully, 2011).
- Numerous studies have suggested that without intervention, youth using YDV are more likely to use violence in adulthood against their future partners (Foshee et al., 2014; Giordano et al., 2010; Pensak, 2015; Smith et al., 2010).
Working Towards Solutions
Radius Child and Youth Services provides specialized mental health services for children, youth, and families affected by interpersonal abuse (neglect and physical and sexual violence). Radius provides comprehensive clinical assessments, counselling and services that help children and youth heal from the trauma of abuse. In addition, we focus on intervention and treatment that supports abuse prevention. By combining our clinical expertise with newly evolving research on YDV, we are committed to providing the highest quality of interventions to this under-serviced population.
Referrals
- Youth, parents/caregivers, children’s aid societies, probation or police, as well as other community partners, are welcome to make a referral for our services.
- Youth who have experienced dating violence are also able to be referred, or self-refer, through Radius’ trauma services.
- There is no catchment area for the YDV Program. No matter where you live – Toronto, Peel, York, Halton or Durham – to find out more about our services, or to make a referral, please contact our Intake Coordinator, at our centralized intake line: 416.744.9000 ext. 327 or email: intake@radiuschild-youthservices.ca.
About the YDV Program
View our informational video about the Youth Dating Violence (YDV) Intensive Intervention Program:
Resource Video
View our resource video for youth and families who may be affected by dating violence:
Contact Us
Bente Skau, Ph.D., RSW
Director of Clinical Services
1 Eva Road, Suite 216 | Etobicoke, ON | M9C 4Z5
T: 416.744.9000 ext. 331
E: bskau@radiuschild-youthservices.ca
Kelsey Harford, MSW, RSW
Youth Dating Violence Program Coordinator
60 Lakeshore Road West | Oakville, ON| L6K 1E1
T: 647.324.8037
E: kharford@radiuschild-youthservices.ca
