blue pattern
Community in Motion, Defined
A steady and intentional movement of a majority of likeminded youth and adults, families, work and social groups and organized coalitions working together to challenge and confront social norms that support violence and abuse.

Community In Motion

About

The Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) at the University of Northern Iowa, in partnership with local school districts, public safety officials and the Otto Schoitz Foundation, is launching this Community in Motion website as a vehicle for supporting and promoting public health and education-based initiatives to reduce and eliminate gender violence and all forms of bullying and harassment. 

The project helps launch a multi-year initiative to engage, train and support community members, starting right here in Waterloo. Please explore this site to learn more about the current state of youth violence in Iowa, a few prevention projects currently in progress, and how you can get involved to help create a safer, more respectful environment in which to live.  

LEARN MORE 

The Need

20%

OF IOWA STUDENTS
FEEL UNSAFE
AT SCHOOL*

23%

OF IOWA STUDENTS
HAVE BEEN BULLIED
AT SCHOOL**

8%

OF IOWA STUDENTS
EXPERIENCED SEXUAL
DATING VIOLENCE

20%

OF IOWA STUDENTS
HAVE SERIOUSLY
CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE**

  

18%

OF IOWA YOUTH
CARRIED A WEAPON**

  

16,367

IOWA STUDENT REMOVALS
FROM SCHOOL DUE TO PHYSICAL
AGGRESSION/FIGHTING***

*2018 Census Survey data reflects grades 5-12 in Iowa
**2017 Iowa Youth Survey data reflects grades 6, 8 & 11 in Iowa
***Iowa Department of Education 2016-17 school district reports

In Progress

A few of the projects Community in Motion partners
are currently working on

The Impact

Students Engaged

Teachers &
School Leaders
Trained

Coaches
Trained

Community
Agency
Partners

Get Involved

trainingscommunity engagement

Testimonials

"The tools and systems we learned will give consistency and strength to the safety, security and opportunities for all students and the communities they occupy, both present and future."

High School Teacher, Cedar Rapids Community School District

“An opportunity for coaches to not only be instructors, but to be role models...The CBIM program fits right into the idea of the transformational coach, where you’re not just impacting that person in terms of wins or losses, but you’re looking at the larger purpose of why they’re out for education-based activities.”

Chad Elsberry --Assistant Director, Iowa High School Athletic Association

“When you incorporate this within your program, you’re teaching life skills. You’re making a difference. You’re using whatever sport it is that you coach as a tool to make a difference in a kid’s life.”

Tom Wilson --Dowling High School Athletics Director/Head Coach Football

“Yes, one coach can make a difference. But many coaches can change the culture of our schools, of our system, so that we can have really good positive outcomes for the athletes, the people who support the athletes -- for everybody.”

Chad Van Cleve --Cedar Falls Middle School Wrestling Coach

"I love what this program has done for our school culture. It is a process that takes time, but it is making a difference!"

Laurie Rink --Marshalltown High School, English Teacher

WHAT DEFINES A COMMUNITY IN MOTION?

Anthony Cohen defines community as, “a system of norms, values and moral codes that provide a sense of identity for all its members.”        A “Community in Motion” is defined as a steady and intentional movement of a majority of like-minded youth and adults, families, work and social groups and organized coalitions working together to challenge and confront social norms that support violence and abuse.

This is accomplished by:
• Creating awareness of all types of abuse and violence (social norming campaigns,
community statistics)
• Supporting opportunities for open dialogue about the impact of violence and abuse
(empathy building, capacity building)
• Challenging thinking about stereotypes and social norms that support root causes
of violence and abuse (unhealthy norms)
• Inspire leadership at all levels of the socio-ecological model (individual, family,
community, societal) to reduce violence and aggression