Thursday, February 07, 2013

Special Feature
Most teenagers do not experience physical aggression when they date. However, for some teens, abuse is a very real part of dating relationships (Teen Dating Violence: A Closer Look at Adolescent Romantic Relationships, National Institute of Justice, 2008).
Studies investigating the effectiveness of programs to prevent dating violence are beginning to show positive results. Most programs focus on changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors linked with dating violence and also address the skills needed to build healthy relationships. In one rigorous National Institute of Justice-funded study, for example, school-level interventions reduced dating violence by up to 50 percent in 30 New York City public middle schools (Prevention and Intervention of Teen Dating Violence, National Institute of Justice).
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) defines dating violence as follows: violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
  • The length of the relationship.
  • The type of relationship.
  • The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
From 2004 through 2009, Congress designated the first full week in February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. Beginning in 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice worked with the Senate to designate the entire month of February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
To help bring greater awareness to the dangers of teen dating violence, NCJRS shares with you the Teen Dating Violence Special Feature, an online compilation of publications and resources on the topic.


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