NCJ Number
220570
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: 2007 Pages: 69-87
Date Published
2007
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study reports on an evaluation of a school-based program developed by an interagency collaboration in order to prevent dating violence.
Abstract
The evaluation found that although most students entered the program with a fairly high knowledge of teen dating skills and normative values of nonviolence in dating interactions, the program apparently had a positive influence on the students who had less knowledge about and more tolerant attitudes toward exploitative dating behaviors, based on pretest and posttest comparisons. The program had a positive impact on students' knowledge about sexual activity, sexual crimes, and sexual harassment. The program was equally effective in increasing knowledge for girls and boys, Whites and non-Whites. The program was not effective, however, in changing the knowledge and attitudes of those students who had engaged in sexual activity in the previous 3 months. This may indicate that students who have already engaged in sexual activity may be less likely to be receptive to information about changing this behavior. Each of four participating community agencies provided 1 hour of curriculum during 1 week of health class. Lecture, group activities, and films were used in the intervention. Changes in knowledge and attitudes among 74 students were examined with pretests and posttests about knowledge of appropriate dating and sexual behaviors and attitudes. The Safe Relationships Program is a short-term psychoeducational program for all ninth graders in a semirural county in the Southeast United States. Sessions presented definitions of sexual assault, coercion, assertiveness skills, and personal boundaries. The second session covered victim's rights, sexual harassment laws, abuse of power in relationships, and consent and coercion in dating/sexual behavior. The third session focused on the stages of healthy relationships, developing personal boundaries, and risky sexual behavior. The final session reviewed earlier topics and addressed decisionmaking. 2 tables and 40 references