Promoting Healthy Dating

• NCJ Number: 170399
• Journal: School Intervention Report Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 1-3,5-11,13
• Author(s): T Simon; B Golden
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Adapted from the authors' forthcoming book, "Dating: Peer Education for Reducing Sexual Harassment and Violence Among Secondary Students."

Annotation

After documenting the prevalence of dating violence and sexual abuse among high school students, this article proposes a comprehensive program for preparing secondary school students for responsible and positive interaction with the opposite sex.

Abstract

In the high school age group, dating violence is now occurring at alarming rates. In a recent study, 84 percent of sexually active high school girls were more concerned with how to say "no" without hurting the other person's feelings than they were about AIDS, abortion, and contraception. More and more high schools are offering student assistance programs that address abusive romantic relationships. Dating and peer education is important in a proactive approach to addressing dating violence and sexual abuse. Successful peer education training serves two purposes: preparing peer educators for their workshops and opening general dialog about dating violence within the selected group of student peer educators. Along with a peer education program, other services, policies, and programs should be implemented. They include a comprehensive sex and family-life curriculum, a written school-district policy that condemns sexual harassment and sexual assault, and comprehensive services for students. The latter should include support groups, free counseling and referral to therapists, academic support, medical intervention, and the availability of rape crisis center advocates to help them through any criminal procedures. Educational programs should encourage the low-risk use of alcohol and also prepare teachers and parents to deal with the problem through their roles in the lives of youth. This article also considers the nature of sexual harassment, stalking, victim characteristics, the reluctance of adolescents to report acquaintance sexual abuse and violence, the cost of harassment, and the connection between dating and sexual harassment.