This study evaluated the impact on Latin/a youth of Break the Cycle's Ending Violence curriculum, a three-class-session prevention program focused on legal issues, with attention to the program's impact on teen dating violence.
Tracks within large urban high schools that had at least 80 percent Latino/a students were randomized to immediate or delayed participation in the curriculum. Classrooms were randomly selected within tracks, and individual student outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention and 6 months later. The evaluation found that students in intervention classrooms showed improved knowledge, less acceptance of female-on-male aggression, and improved perception of the helpfulness and likelihood of seeking assistance from various sources immediately after the program. Improved knowledge and perceived helpfulness of an attorney were maintained 6 months later. There were no differences in recent abusive/fearful dating experiences or violence victimization or perpetration. The evaluation's overall conclusion is that the Ending Violence curriculum has an impact on teen norms, knowledge, and help-seeking proclivities that may aid in early intervention for dating violence among Latino/a students. (publisher abstract modified)