Young Men Pledge to End Teen Relationship Abuse and Domestic Violence

More than 600 New Jersey teens recently gathered at Rutgers University for the launch of Training Camps for Life, a partnership of the NFL Players Association, A CALL TO MEN and the Verizon Foundation.

The half-day, NFL-star-studded event at Rutgers University addressed topics such as overcoming adversity, decisions and consequences, and healthy teen relationships – a critical addition to the Training Camps for Life agenda. The event was the first of 12 sessions that will be held across the country this year. They are funded through a $250,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to A CALL TO MEN, an internationally recognized men’s organization addressing domestic and sexual violence prevention.

Hundreds of New Jersey High School students recently attended a Training Camp for Life event at Rutgers to learn about the skills needed off the field to succeed in school, in relationships and in life. The event was funded through a Verizon Foundation grant.

Studies have shown that one in three teens experiences relationship abuse1 and nearly half – 47 percent – report having done something that compromised their values to appease their partner.

"As a professional athlete I have to build healthy, respectful relationships every day,” said Chris Canty, NFL defensive tackle and founder of the Chris Canty Foundation. “Through Training Camps for Life, we have an opportunity to educate and empower teens to respect themselves and others.”

At the core of this education program is the notion of a healthy and respectful manhood. A CALL TO MEN will work with Training Camps for Life participants to challenge the attitudes and beliefs about what it means to be a man. Teens will examine popular culture through a lens of respect and equality, and dissect lyrics of current hip-hop tracks to understand the concept of male privilege. They will also learn to identify the nuances of abuse – like flirting vs. harassment – and understand when and how to seek help.

Male and female high school students attending the sessions will have the option to take the LIVERESPECT pledge at www.liverespect.org, a commitment to end teen relationship abuse and speak out against domestic violence.

More than 100 New Jersey High School students take the LIVERESPECT pledge and make a commitment to end teen relationship abuse and speak out against domestic violence at a Training Camp for Life event at Rutgers. The event was funded through a Verizon Foundation grant.

“These camps, designed to help teens build strong values and important life skills, are a perfect setting to start building a coalition of men and boys to help break the cycle of violence,” said Rose Stuckey Kirk, Verizon Foundation president. “With this important message of non-violence coming from the players the children idolize, our vision of a world without domestic fear will begin to take root.”

Partnering with the NFL Players Association on the Training Camps for Life program is part of the Verizon Foundation’s strategy to engage men and teens in helping end domestic violence. Additional camps will be held starting in the fall in Pittsburgh, Tampa, Boston, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta.

George Atallah, assistant executive director of external affairs for the NFL Players Association, said, “Training Camps for Life offer unique opportunities for our players to impact their communities by working directly with teens on a variety of important life lessons. We are proud to team with Verizon and A CALL TO MEN to affect positive change in our country’s youth.”