Bullying prevention is often framed as responding to negative behavior. However, trusted adults know that prevention starts much earlier. When young people feel heard, valued, and connected, they are more likely to build positive relationships and contribute to supportive environments.

The PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month campaign promotes kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. These same principles are reflected in Positive Youth Development (PYD), which encourages organizations to build on youth strengths and create opportunities for meaningful engagement.

Youth Voice Creates Safer Spaces

Young people are often aware of social dynamics, barriers to belonging, and challenges that adults may not see. Youth-Adult Partnerships (YAPs) provide opportunities for youth and adults to work together as partners, ensuring youth perspectives help inform decisions that affect them.

When organizations intentionally seek youth feedback, they gain valuable insight into questions such as:

• What helps you (young people) feel included?
• Where do you feel disconnected or overlooked?
• What changes could strengthen your sense of belonging?

These conversations can uncover opportunities to improve program culture while helping youth develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The StopBullying.gov Prevention resource recommends discussion-based activities that encourage youth participation and help create safer environments. Community partners can adapt these strategies through listening sessions, feedback boards, or other YAP approaches.

Community Partner Spotlight: The Circle of SistAhood

The Circle of SistAhood empowers teenage girls ages 12-17 through mentorship, leadership development, mental health awareness, and family engagement. A strong example of YAPs in action, the organization connects young women with caring adult mentors who create safe spaces for youth to share their experiences, challenges, and goals.

Through ongoing conversations, group activities, educational workshops, community service projects, and college and career exploration, mentors help young women feel heard, valued, and connected. This focus on listening strengthens trust, builds confidence, and promotes a sense of belonging, all protective factors that can help prevent bullying and social isolation before they occur. The Circle of SistAhood demonstrates how meaningful YAPs, relationships, can create supportive environments where young people feel empowered to blossom.

Try This with Your YAP: 25 Minute Listening Circle

Depending on the stage of your YAP, youth may need opportunities to practice sharing perspectives before participating in a larger listening circle. Consider starting with the Act for Youth reflection activity, “Engaging Youth: Reflection Activities.” The exercises mean to help youth express their experiences in a safe, structured way, and to build a foundation for authentic youth voice before deeper discussions about belonging.

Once the foundation exists, gather youth and adults in a circle and ask one simple question: “What helps you feel you belong?”

Allow everyone an opportunity to share without interruption.

Then ask: “What is one thing we could do to help more young people feel included?”

Record responses and identify two or three ideas that the group can put into action.

This simple activity reflects both PYD and YAP principles by recognizing youth as assets, encouraging authentic dialogue, and giving young people a meaningful role in shaping their environment.

National Bullying Prevention Month reminds us that creating safe spaces is not just about responding to harmful behavior when it occurs. It is about building relationships where every young person feels heard, respected, and valued. When youth have opportunities, whether through a YAP, or a simple conversation, to share their perspectives and know that trusted adults are listening, they are more likely to feel connected, supported, and have a sense of belonging. This October, challenge yourself to create intentional opportunities for youth voice. Sometimes the first step toward a safer, more inclusive environment is simply asking a young person what they need and truly listening to the answer.