What is the Dating Violence Program?

The Dating Violence Program is a completely FREE program (thanks to funding from the Alcoa Foundation) designed to educate youth about the warning signs of an abusive relationship and how to recognize a healthy relationship. 

How does it work?

Every Woman's Place/Webster House Youth Services provides two trained facilitators for the duration of one classroom period over the course of three days. (More information on this format here.) They will present the program with a combination of group activities, handouts and lecture.  Some of the group activities included are a Job Interview for the Ideal Dating Partner, a classroom definition of what dating violence is and an exercise involving string that demonstrates a student’s support system - teachers, friends, parents, coaches, etc. – and how they effect a student in that situation. Students will also be given handouts that stress the difference between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy relationship and also includes resources for students and parents. Teachers are asked to administer a 10 question true/false quiz before the presentation to help us measure the effectiveness of our program.  The test will be sent a week in advance.

Why should my school participate?

Although one in five teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship, less than 3% of teenagers reported that incident to an authority figure such as the police, a social worker, counselor or teacher. The Dating Violence Program can help youth choose better dating partners by teaching them to identify the early warning signs of an abusive situation.

Why is our program targeted to the 8 th grade level?

Studies show that students consider having their first boyfriend or girlfriend sometime between 9 and 12 years of age. By the 8th grade, many of these students are beginning to form relationships. Also, a number of developmental issues make this a particularly important time to provide educational opportunities with respect to non-violent relationships. We want to expose young people to healthy relationship development and non-violent conflict resolution before they start “going out.”

Although this program is targeted to the 8th grade, we have presented it with success to a variety of middle and high school students.