Teen Dating Violence

Transcription

SOROPTIMIST MODEL PROGRAM KIT
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE
SO RO P TIM IST TEEN DATI NG VIO LENCE
AWARENESS C AMPAIG N:
BECAUSE TEE NS H AV E THE RIGHT TO BE IN SAF E
AND HEAL THY RELATIONSHIPS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
II.
PRELIMINARY PLANNING ................................................................................................................................ 3
Establish Project Committees
Conduct a Community Needs Assessment
Community Needs Assessment Questions
Decide Whether to Form a Partnership
Outcomes-Based Project Evaluation
III.
SOROPTIMIST TEEN DATING VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN ............................................................................................ 6
Because Teens Have the Right to Safe and Healthy Relationships
IV.
PROJECTS TARGETING TEENS ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Classroom Exercises
What is Teen Dating Violence?
Stories of Dating Abuse
Video Stories of Dating Abuse
V.
A PROJECT TARGETING PARENTS............................................................................................................................ 12
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Workshop
VI.
A PROJECT TARGETING SCHOOL PERSONNEL..................................................................................................... 14
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Presentation
VII.
A PROJECT TARGETING TEENS, PARENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL......................................................... 15
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Day at the Mall
Sample News Release
Sample Editorial
VIII.
RAISING FUNDS FOR THE CAMPAIGN .................................................................................................................... 20
Community Fundraiser
Sponsorship
Soroptimist Club Grants for Women and Girls
IX.
PUBLICIZING THE CAMPAIGN................................................................................................................... 21
Reach out to Potential New Club Members
X.
EVALUATING THE OUTCOMES OF THE CAMPAIGN............................................................................................ 21
XI.
REPORTING, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, AND SUGGESTIONS............................................................................ 22
Program Focus Report
Submit a Soroptimist Celebrating Success! Entry
Submit an Article to Best for Women Magazine
Questions, Concerns, and Suggestions
XII.
SOROPTIMIST CLUB PROJECTS .................................................................................................................................. 23
XIII.
RESOURCES ...................................................................................................................................................................... 23
XIV.
APPENDIX ......................................................................................................................................................... 27
© Soroptimist International of the Americas. May 2008 – Revised November 2012
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I. INTRODUCTION
Dating and intimate relationships are a normal part of growing up for many adolescents. Unfortunately, however,
as many as one-third of teens experience some form of abuse in their romantic dating relationships, including
verbal, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse. Evidence suggests that patterns of teen dating violence and
victimization that develop during early adolescence can already be difficult to reverse by late adolescence.
However, studies also show that it is possible to change such attitudes and behaviors, especially if teen dating
violence prevention programs are implemented in a social context, such as within a school setting.
Several non-profit organizations have developed excellent school and/or community-based teen dating violence
curricula, all of which have been made available for public use. This model program kit has employed these
curricula to help develop projects for Soroptimist clubs to implement. (Please refer to the Resources section on page
23 for a list.)
The suggested projects presented in this model program kit can be implemented at any time of the year and are
designed to be used within the context of a public awareness campaign titled:
Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Awareness Campaign:
Because Teens Have the Right to be in Safe and Healthy Relationships
A club’s Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Awareness Campaign can be as simple as organizing a one-day
awareness event at your local mall or movie theatre, or as involved as a week-long awareness campaign
encompassing a series of projects. The model program kit includes information for conducting classroom exercises,
parent workshops, presentations to school administrators and a mall awareness day. Clubs can choose to implement
one project idea, all five project ideas or any number in between—it will be up to each club to decide the size
and scope of the campaign.
The projects presented in this model program kit have been designed with three main audiences in mind— teens,
parents and school personnel—and have been organized and presented accordingly. When developing an
awareness campaign, clubs can choose to focus on one, two or all three of these audiences. Each project has been
designed as a stand-alone project, but can also be easily combined with one or more other projects. Again, it will
be up to clubs to decide the size and scope of their campaigns based upon the interests of members and needs of
the community.
When developing and implementing teen dating violence prevention programs, it is important that adolescent boys
are equally considered and as involved as adolescent girls. Efforts to change adolescent male attitudes and
behaviors that condone—or engage in—violence against girls will not be fully successful without the active
involvement of boys. Studies have shown that when boys are encouraged to examine and challenge discriminatory
and sexist views that can lead to violence against women and girls, they are less likely to be part of an abusive
dating relationship. In other words, when boys are included, girls benefit.
The Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Awareness Campaign projects can be implemented at any time of the year.
Clubs in the U.S. may wish to conduct the campaign during the month of February, which the United States’ Senate
unanimously designated as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in 2010 by passing Resolution
373. Clubs in other countries may also choose to conduct their campaign during this month because of Valentine’s
Day.
Clubs may also want to consider conducting the campaign in November to coincide with the International Day for
the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25). In general, any time the club can tie the campaign into
an already established event the better; as this will increase the chances of media attention.
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This Model Program Kit is meant to be used in conjunction with the Soroptimist White Paper: Teen Dating Violence,
which contains a wealth of information about teen dating violence, ending the cycle of abuse and prevention
programs. Please view this resource to learn more about teen dating violence. A greater understanding of the topic
will be helpful when planning your awareness campaign.
II. PRELIMINARY PLANNING
Before delving into project ideas a few preliminary planning steps need to be addressed, namely: establishing
working groups to oversee the project; conducting a community needs assessment; deciding whether to form a
partnership with another organization or business; and considering how best to evaluate the project. Taking the
time to complete these preliminary project planning steps will help ensure that no matter which project the club
chooses, it will be a success.
ESTABLISH WORKING GROUPS
Once the club has made a commitment to conduct a teen dating violence project, a working group should be
formed to help oversee the project. This group should consist of members interested in playing a more active role in
making sure the project is a success. This is important because the working group will be charged with the crucial
responsibility of making sure all components of the project are identified, planned-out and implemented. In
addition, the group will be responsible for addressing any problems that should arise; and they will be responsible
for evaluating the results of the project and reporting on the project to Soroptimist headquarters.
Depending upon the size and scope of the project, this working group should be made up of three to five
members—at least three so that no one or two members are overly burdened, but not so many that the process of
overseeing the project becomes cumbersome.
In addition the club may also wish to form a couple of other working groups, such as a group to coordinate
fundraising efforts and a group to coordinate public relations efforts. To support the efforts of these working
groups, Soroptimist headquarters has created a number of resources, which can be found in the members area of
the website.
Fundraising resources: http://www.soroptimist.org/members/fundraising/fundraisinghome.html
Public relations resources: http://www.soroptimist.org/members/publicawareness/publicawarenesshome.html
Once formed, these groups can work together to ensure the project’s success. The working groups will enable the
club to rest assured that the most important components of the project are being managed by specific persons who
have agreed to take on these added responsibilities.
CONDUCT A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Once the project working groups have been formed, the club will need to conduct a community needs assessment.
The goals of the community needs assessment are to:
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Determine what services are currently available.
Determine what services are most needed.
Compile a list of potential partners for the project.
Conducting a community needs assessment will help determine the teen dating violence project that will best serve
the needs of the community. This assessment will take time and research but is a necessary component to creating a
successful project—it would not be advantageous if the club launched a project that is the same, or even similar, to
one already being offered. Although the project working group will oversee the community needs assessment, the
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process of gathering information should include as many club members as possible. The more information gathered,
the better.
COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS: TEEN DATING VIOLENCE
The following questions should be considered when conducting a community needs assessment.
General Level of Awareness
1. What is the general level of awareness, both in the school community and the community at-large, with
regard to teen dating violence?
2. Have there been any publicized accounts of teen dating violence in the community?
3. Has there ever been a teen dating violence public awareness campaign in the school district and/or
community at-large? If yes, who conducted the campaign and when? What did it entail?
School Administration, Policies and Curriculum
1. Has the school district implemented specific policies addressing the issue of teen dating violence? If yes,
what are they? If no, is the administration amenable to adding such policies?
2. Does the school district include the topic of teen dating violence in its curriculum? If yes, how and by whom
is the curriculum being taught? If no, is the administration amenable to adding the topic of teen dating
violence to its curriculum?
3. If the school district does not include teen dating violence in its curriculum, are there any teachers who are
covering the topic of their own accord? If yes, how? If no, are there any teachers amenable to doing so?
4. Are the counselors and nurses in the school district trained to address the issue of teen dating violence? If
yes, how? If no, is the school district amenable to providing such training?
5. Are there any student groups in the school district who have addressed the issue of teen dating violence? If
yes, how? If no, are any groups amenable to doing so?
6. Are there any Soroptimist club members that have established personal and/or professional relationships
with the school district’s administration, faculty and/or staff?
Community Organizations
1. Are any community organizations —domestic violence organizations or girl-focused organizations for
example—addressing the issue of teen dating violence? If yes, what do they do? Do they work directly
with the school district? Do they provide educational resources? Do they provide victim services? Are there
services they would like to provide but can’t due to lack of staffing and/or funds?
2. Are any businesses in the community supporting issues pertinent to women, girls and/or teens? Are any
businesses catering specifically to a female or adolescent demographic? Are any businesses communityminded in general?
3. Would it be feasible and beneficial to create a partnership with a community organization or business? If
yes, which organization or business, and what would be the nature of the partnership?
4. Do any Soroptimist club members have established personal and/or professional relationships with a
community organization or business that does—or could—support the issue of teen dating violence?
DECIDE WHETHER TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP
After conducting the community needs assessment, the club will need to decide whether to partner with another
community organization. If other organizations in the community are addressing teen dating violence, the challenge
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will be to create a uniquely identifiable Soroptimist project—one that doesn’t just simply support or raise funds for
an existing program, but originates from the club and addresses an otherwise unmet community need. This is very
important, for although the primary goal of any Soroptimist project is to improve the lives of women and/or girls,
clubs also need to plan projects with the additional goal of raising awareness about Soroptimist. This will help
ensure that more people learn about the work of Soroptimist and will also support membership recruitment efforts.
When designing a project with a partner organization, a good guiding question to ask is: How will the community
and media identify the project as a Soroptimist project?
On the other hand, if no other organizations in the community are addressing the issue, the club will have the
rewarding challenge of creating a brand new resource for the teenagers of its community. When doing so, clubs
may wish to identify other organizations or businesses that have the potential to support the efforts and possibly
grow into a partnership or coalition. In this case, the club will need to identify community organizations and
businesses that do not currently address or support the issue of teen dating violence but have the potential to do
so.
To help the club form productive and successful partnerships, Soroptimist headquarters has created an excellent
resource titled: Effective Partnerships for Clubs. This resource provides information about the following:
•
•
•
•
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What is a partnership?
Why should clubs partner?
What are some of the drawbacks of partnering?
What are the steps to a successful partnership?
How to ensure a successful partnership.
In addition, the resource also includes a Sample Partnership Agreement. These documents can be found here:
http://www.soroptimist.org/members/program/programhome.html.
OUTCOMES-BASED PROJECT EVALUATION
One of the most crucial steps in preliminary project planning should be determining the intended outcomes. After
identifying the teen dating violence services and needs in the community, your club and any partners will need to
start thinking about the intended outcomes of a project. It is therefore important for clubs to understand outcomesbased project evaluation before setting goals and objectives, and before determining the inputs and structure of
their project.
What is project evaluation?
Simply put, outcomes-based project evaluation is the assessment of how well a project is meeting its goals.
Outcomes-based evaluation is the regular, systematic tracking of the extent to which project participants
experience benefits or changes to their lives as a result of the project. This type of evaluation:
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allows clubs to verify accomplishment of their goals.
ensures that the correct activities are being conducted to bring about the impact needed by project
beneficiaries.
measures the benefit or change to beneficiaries as a result of the project.
allows clubs to state the impact of its projects.
enables clubs to make well-informed decisions about continuing, ending or revising a project.
Clubs that conduct outcomes-based evaluation are able to speak more specifically about the impact of their work
in the community to improve the lives of women and girls. Outcomes-based evaluations do not need to be complex
or lengthy. The scope of the evaluation should match the complexity of the project.
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Why do Soroptimist clubs need to institute outcomes-based evaluation?
Today many not-for-profits claim their projects are making a difference in the lives of others. Non-profits are
facing increased scrutiny and the most successful organizations are those that can demonstrate a measurable
impact on their beneficiaries. The needs of the women and girls SIA serves are increasing at the same time that
funding and support is decreasing. Clubs must be able to demonstrate the local-level impact on project
beneficiaries. Outcomes-based evaluations are needed to ensure that Soroptimist clubs are serving their targeted
beneficiaries efficiently and effectively. Evaluations will also serve as a feedback loop and can be used for project
improvement.
For frequently asked questions, detailed instructions for implementing outcomes-based evaluation, and an example
evaluation, please read Outcomes-Based Project Evaluation for Soroptimist Clubs available on the SIA website:
http://www.soroptimist.org/members/program/SoroptimistLocalClubProjects.html.
III. SOROPTIMIST TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN:
BECAUSE TEENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE IN SAFE AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Once the preliminary project planning has been completed, the club will be ready to conduct projects that will best
address teen dating violence in the community. Clubs can choose to conduct those projects that best meet the needs
of their community, as well as the interests of the club.
This model program kit offers several project ideas and supporting documents designed to fit into the overarching
public awareness campaign: Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Campaign: Because Teens Have the Right to be in Safe
and Healthy Relationships. The campaign goals are simple: to educate teenagers, parents and school personnel
about teen dating violence and to inspire them to take action. With the guidance of this model program kit, the
club and its partners will need to determine the objectives, inputs, and outcome targets of the project.
Outreach to teens is particularly important because they may feel alone and believe that no one else could
possibly understand what they are going through. They may also feel they wouldn’t be believed even if they did
tell someone. In addition, should a teen in an abusive relationship decide to seek help, they may not know where to
find it. Outreach to teens will let them know they are not alone and there are people and services they can turn to
for help—which may prompt them to seek such help.
Almost two-thirds of parents whose children have been in a dating relationship say dating violence and abuse
have not been a problem for their teens – while one-third of teens report suffering from actual sexual abuse,
physical abuse, or threats of physical abuse in their relationships. Furthermore, though 82 percent of parents feel
confident that they could recognize if their teen was experiencing dating violence, more than half of these parents
could not correctly identify the warning signs of abuse. Yet parents play a powerful and critical role in providing
life-saving support should their teen become involved in an abusive dating relationship. Outreach to parents will
give them the information they need to identify the early warning signs of teen dating abuse and provide them
with the tools to help their teen.
Outreach to school personnel is of utmost importance given that teens spend the majority of their waking life in
school. Schools play a vital role in providing resources for both students and staff alike. Outreach to school
personnel can encourage the development and implementation of a dating violence policy, the training of school
personnel, and the inclusion of teen dating violence in the school curriculum.
The awareness campaign projects presented below have been organized based upon these target audiences:
teens, parents, and/or school personnel. All of the handouts for the suggested club projects are in the Appendix
section (p. 27) of this kit.
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Clubs in the U.S. may wish to conduct the campaign during the month of February, which has been designated by
the U.S. Senate as the National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Clubs in other countries may
also choose to conduct their campaign during this month because of Valentine’s Day. Clubs may also want to
consider conducting the campaign in November to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women on November 25. In general, any time clubs can tie the campaign to an established
event, the better—for this will increase the chances the campaign will receive media attention.
IV. PROJECTS TARGETING TEENS
CLASSROOM EXERCISES
Based upon the results of the community needs assessment, a club member may decide to serve as a guest speaker
at a local middle school and/or high school and conduct a class exercise on teen dating violence. Listed below are
three suggested class exercises: “What is Teen Dating Violence,” “Stories of Dating Abuse” and “Video Stories of
Dating Abuse.” All three exercises have been designed for a typical 50 minute class period.
Handouts for all three exercises can be found in the Appendix (p. 27).
When conducting classroom exercises, the instructor(s) will need to indentify, in advance, an adult within the school
community whose name can be given to students as a school contact person for all questions or concerns relating to
teen dating violence. That person might be the school psychologist or counselor.
Teaching Tip: When conducting a classroom exercise, it is critical to create a safe sharing environment. Because the
exercises deal with sensitive issues, establish a few basic guidelines for students to follow, such as:
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Everyone is allowed to express his/her own opinion without interruption.
Respect each point of view.
No question or questioner is stupid or wrong; no put-downs are allowed.
CLASSROOM EXERCISE ONE: “WHAT IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE?”
“What is Teen Dating Violence?” is designed to be an introduction to the topic of teen dating violence. There are
three parts to this introductory exercise:
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How You Can Help.
Conclusion/Resources.
After this exercise, students should be able to:
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Define vocabulary related to teen dating violence and apply it to a dating violence scenario.
Identify forms of dating abuse and warning signs.
Quote at least one teen dating violence statistic.
Describe ways they can help a friend in an abusive relationship.
Name an action they can take to help prevent teen dating violence.
Describe characteristics of a healthy relationship.
Identify support resources for teens in an abusive relationship.
Name an adult at school to whom they could turn for help.
In preparation for teaching the exercise, the instructor(s) should read through the lesson instructions and handouts
and make enough copies of the following handouts for all students (handouts can be found in the Appendix, p. 27):
•
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Teen Dating Violence: What is It?
Teen Dating Violence: Just the Facts.
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•
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“I Thought Things Would Change” excerpt.
Teen Dating Violence: Just for Friends.
Teen Dating Violence: Prevention Tips.
Teen Dating Violence: Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships.
Teen Dating Violence: Resources.
Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Bookmark.
Part One: What is Teen Dating Violence?
1. Ask students what they think when they hear the phrase “Teen Dating Violence.” Write their responses on
the board.
2. Synthesize their responses into a clear definition of dating violence, such as “Teen dating violence is a
pattern of physically, sexually, verbally and/or emotionally abusive or controlling behavior in a dating
relationship.”
3. Ask students for examples of teen dating violence behaviors. Prompt them to consider the different ways
this abuse can occur: face-to-face; through technology like cell phones, text messaging or social networking
websites; or through another person to convey messages or carry out actions.
4. Distribute and review/discuss the handouts “Teen Dating Violence: What is It?” and “Teen Dating Violence:
Just the Facts.” Point out that dating violence can happen to any teen regardless of race, religion, culture,
sexual orientation or economic status.
5. Distribute the excerpt “I Thought Things Would Change.” Give students time to read the excerpt to
themselves and then ask for a student volunteer to read it aloud.
6. Discuss the excerpt by asking the following questions:
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What forms of dating abuse did Adaliz experience?
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How did Adaliz feel when Richard was being abusive to her?
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How does Richard’s abuse affect Adaliz’s day-to-day life?
Emphasize that dating abuse is never the fault of the person being abused. Nothing this person says, does
or wears caused the abuse or gives anyone the right to hurt them.
Explain how, over time, the abuse typically occurs more frequently and becomes more severe, often
pervading every aspect of a target’s life and leaving her to believe she has no option but to stay in the
relationship. Point out that some abusers have experienced abuse at home. Although this does not excuse it,
it can help to explain how some abusers come to believe that violence is acceptable in intimate
relationships.
7. Ask students what they think are some of the consequences for the person who is abused? If necessary, add
to the responses, for example: feeling ashamed, feeling anxious, becoming depressed, having thoughts of
suicide, doing poorly in school, losing interest in friends or favorite activities, and/or a change of
appearance.
Point out that:
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Many victims of dating abuse will continue to be abused in their adult relationships.
Victims of dating abuse are at a higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual
behavior and suicide.
Of women between the ages of 15-19 murdered each year, 30 percent are killed by their
boyfriends or husbands.
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Part Two: How To Help
1. Distribute the handout “Teen Dating Violence: Just for Friends.” Note that sometimes it is difficult to know
for sure if a friend is in an abusive relationship. That is why being able to recognize warning signs is so
important. Review warning signs listed on the handout. Ask students if they have anything to add to the list.
2. Review and discuss the “DOs” and “DON’Ts” of helping a friend. Emphasize the most important things are
to listen closely, not make judgments, and offer to find support and resources. Ask students if they have
anything to add to the list.
3. Distribute and review the handout “Teen Dating Violence: Prevention Tips.” Emphasize that preventing teen
dating violence is a community-wide responsibility and encourage students to share with others what they
have learned.
Part Three: Conclusion/Resources
1. Conclude the exercise by emphasizing that every teen deserves and has the right to a safe and healthy
dating relationship. Point out that when a teen begins to date, it is sometimes hard to know what is healthy
and what is unhealthy in a relationship. Distribute the handout “Teen Dating Violence: Healthy vs.
Unhealthy Relationships.” Tell students the handout is for their own reference.
2. Distribute the handout “Teen Dating Violence: Resources” and the “Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence
Bookmark.” Emphasize that there are many resources to help raise awareness, prevent teen dating
violence and provide support services. Encourage students to be proactive and explore these resources.
3. Encourage students to take action in the fight against teen dating violence. Be prepared with a name of an
adult in the school who has agreed to be a point person should any students wish to take action or have
any follow-up questions or concerns. Write the name of this person on the board.
Source: Adapted from Love is Not Abuse: A Teen Dating Violence Prevention Curriculum (www.loveisnotabuse.com)
CLASSROOM EXERCISE TWO: “STORIES OF DATING ABUSE”
“Stories of Dating Abuse” is a follow up-exercise to be conducted, preferably, no later than two weeks following a
presentation of “What is Teen Dating Violence?” This follow-up exercise gives students an opportunity to apply
what they have learned in the first exercise. Please note this is an optional class exercise. Clubs should not feel like
they must teach a second class exercise unless they choose or are asked to. Information for obtaining the videos
used for this exercise is in the Resources section (p. 23).
This exercise has three parts:
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Scenario Discussion.
Video Viewing and Discussion.
Conclusion/Resources
After the exercise, students should be able to apply their knowledge in the following ways:
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Recognize warning signs of dating abuse.
Sympathize with the feelings of teens experiencing dating violence.
Acknowledge the complexities of teen dating violence by being able to discern the difficulties involved
with disclosing experiences of dating abuse.
Understand there is help available and where to go to get it.
In preparation for teaching the exercise, the instructor(s) should read through the lesson instructions and handouts,
view the video and prepare discussion questions. The instructor(s) will also need to make enough copies of the
following handouts for all students (handouts are in the Appendix, p. 27):
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•
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Stories of Dating Abuse Scenario.
Part One: Scenario Discussion
1. Pass out a copy of the scenario handout to each student. Give the students time to read the scenario
quietly to themselves, and then have a student volunteer to read the scenario aloud.
2. On the board, draw four columns. Label the first one “Amy’s Feelings.” Ask the students how they think Amy
feels in this situation. List responses on the board.
3. Label the second column “Reasons Not to Tell.” Ask students for reasons why Amy might not tell anyone
what happened/is happening. List responses on the board.
4. Label the third column “Reasons to Tell.” Ask students to name positive outcomes that could result if Amy
were to tell a trusted adult about her relationship with David. List responses on the board.
5. Now go back to column one, “Amy’s Feelings,” and read the list aloud. Ask students what general
conclusions they can make about Amy’s situation and how she might feel. The point is to validate the heavy
burden Amy carries, but not to make it seem hopeless for victims of teen dating violence.
6. Read aloud the list in column two, “Reasons Not to Tell.” Emphasize that all the reasons not to tell are
based on valid feelings and fears, and that there is risk involved in sharing details of an abusive
relationship.
7. Read aloud the list in column three, “Reasons to Tell,” and validate the reasons for telling someone about
an abusive relationship. Point out the importance of trust in overcoming the risks involved in telling.
8. Label the fourth column “Adults Who Can Help.” Ask students to name adults who might be able to help
Amy. Write the names on the board. If necessary, add to the list. Point out that not every teen has a good
relationship with every adult on the list, but almost all teens will be able to trust at least one of the adults
listed. That person is the one they should go to for help. Point out that if a teen has absolutely no adult in
their life they can trust, they can always turn to support resources such as helplines and hotlines.
9. Point out that helplines and hotlines serve several purposes:
•
Operators can simply listen to a teen and help them make sense of what happened/is happening.
•
They can offer support and information on options and help with safety planning.
•
They may be able to connect the teen to a service provider in the community who can continue to
help.
Part Two: Video Viewing and Discussion
View the video Teens Speak Out: Dating Violence (10 minutes) or Causing Pain: Real Stories of Dating Abuse
Violence (13 minutes). Ask students for their responses to what they have seen. Facilitate a discussion using the
video guide and/or the club’s own discussion questions. (Information for obtaining these videos can be found in the
Resources section, p. 23).
1. Conclude the exercise by emphasizing that every teen deserves, and has the right to, a safe and healthy
dating relationship.
2. Distribute the handout “Teen Dating Violence: Resources” and the “Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence
Bookmarks.” Emphasize the many resources available to help raise awareness, prevent teen dating
violence and provide support services. Encourage students to be proactive and explore these resources.
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adult in the school who has agreed to be a point person should any students wish to take action, or have
any follow-up questions or concerns about teen dating violence. Write the name of the school contact
person on the board.
Source: Adapted from Teen Action Toolkit: Building a Youth-Led Response to Teen Victimization, p. 41 (www.ncvc.org)
CLASSROOM EXERCISE THREE: “VIDEO STORIES OF DATING ABUSE”
“Video Stories of Dating Abuse” is an option for clubs not entirely comfortable presenting a full class lesson in front
of students. This class exercise uses a 31-minute video to educate students about teen dating violence, allowing
club members to facilitate a discussion on the issue without having to personally present an entire 50-minute lesson
on their own. Please note that information for obtaining the video can be found in the Resources section (p. 23).
This exercise has three parts:
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•
After this exercise, students should be able to:
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Define dating abuse and identify forms of dating abuse and warning signs.
Quote at least one teen dating violence statistic.
Describe ways they can help a friend in an abusive relationship.
Name an action they can take to help prevent teen dating violence.
Describe characteristics of a healthy relationship.
Identify support resources for teens in an abusive relationship.
Name an adult at school to whom they could turn for help.
In preparation for teaching the exercise, the instructor(s) should read through the lesson instructions and handouts,
view the video, and prepare discussion questions. They also need to make enough copies of the following handouts
for all students (handouts are in the Appendix, p. 27):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Part One: What is Teen Dating Violence?
Distribute and review/discuss the handouts “Teen Dating Violence: What is It?” and “Teen Dating Violence: Just the
Facts.” Point out that dating violence can happen to any teen regardless of race, religion, culture, sexual
orientation or economic status.
View the video Dating and Violence Should Never Be a Couple (31 minutes). Ask students for their responses.
Facilitate a discussion using the video guide and/or the club’s own discussion questions. Information for obtaining
this video are in the Resources section, (p. 23).
Page 11
1. Conclude the exercise by emphasizing that every teen deserves, and has the right to, a safe and healthy
dating relationship.
2. Distribute an information packet to each student that includes the following handouts:
• Teen Dating Violence: Just For Friends.
• Teen Dating Violence: Prevention Tips.
• Teen Dating Violence: Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships.
• Teen Dating Violence: Resources.
• Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Bookmark.
Emphasize that many resources are available to help raise awareness, prevent teen dating violence and
provide support services. Encourage students to be proactive and explore these resources.
adult in the school who has agreed to be a point person should any students wish to take action, or if they
have any follow-up questions or concerns. Write the name of the school contact person on the board.
V. A PROJECT TARGETING PARENTS
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS WORKSHOP
Although as many as one-third of teens experience some form of abuse in their romantic dating relationships—
including verbal, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse—the vast majority of parents are grossly unaware of
the problem. Though 82 percent of parents feel confident that they could recognize if their teen was experiencing
dating violence, more than half of these parents could not correctly identify the warning signs of abuse. Thirtyseven percent of surveyed parents admitted that they are unaware of any resources to help them have a
conversation with their teen about dating abuse. Soroptimist clubs can help parents learn more about teen dating
violence and provide them with tools to discuss it with their teens. Given that children tend to adopt the social
attitudes of their parents, no one is better positioned to positively influence their teen’s understanding and
experiences of dating relationships.
When deciding to offer a workshop for parents, the club must first identify a list of parent groups within the
community. Numerous groups exist, such as single parent groups, a variety of parenting support groups, parent
groups affiliated with sports activities, or parent groups affiliated with a particular school. The easiest way to
conduct a workshop is to get on a group’s meeting agenda as a guest presenter. Ideally, the workshop will be the
only item on the agenda. The workshop described below has been designed for a typical one to one-and-a-half
hour meeting.
The three main objectives for the workshop are to:
•
•
•
Introduce parents to the topic of teen dating violence, including the warning signs.
Provide parents with the tools to talk about the issue with their teen.
Encourage parents to use the resources and seek help if they suspect their teen is in an abusive
relationship.
The workshop is divided into three parts:
•
•
•
Introduction to Teen Dating Violence.
Page 12
In preparation for the workshop, instructor(s) should read through the workshop instructions and handouts, view the
video, and prepare discussion questions. Instructors should make enough copies of the following handouts for all
parents in attendance:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Teen Dating Violence: Just for Parents.
Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Bookmarks.
A Parent’s Handbook: How to Talk to Your Children about Developing Healthy Relationships.
A Parent’s Guide to Teen Dating Violence: 10 Questions to Start the Conversation.
Please note that handouts are in the Appendix (p. 27), while video information and information about parent
handbooks are in the Resources section (p. 23) of the model program kit. Please note that all the handouts are
writeable PDF documents, which clubs can personalize by adding their club name. Also, please note that the
resource handout provides space for clubs to add contact information for local support services.
Part One: Introduction to Teen Dating Violence
1. Begin the presentation with the following statement and narrative:
As many as one-third of teens experience some form of abuse in their romantic dating relationships. One
such teen is Nicole and this is her story:
When I was 15, I went to summer school, and I met this guy. And we became a couple.
Slowly, he became controlling and verbally abusive. And then finally, it led to him hitting
me. It would be just like a flicking of the head… and then one time it was a hit in the face.
And then he was choking me on the stairs. It made me feel very scared and alone and
confused.
Starting the presentation with a story will engage parents on a personal level—Nicole could be their
daughter.
2. Ask parents what they think when they hear the phrase “Teen Dating Violence.” Synthesize their responses
into a clear definition of dating violence, such as “Teen dating violence is a pattern of physically, sexually,
verbally and/or emotionally abusive or controlling behavior in a dating relationship.”
3. Distribute and review/discuss the handouts “Teen Dating Violence: Just the Facts” and “Teen Dating
Violence: Just For Parents.” Point out that dating violence can happen to any teen regardless of race,
religion, culture, sexual orientation or economic status.
View the video Dating and Violence Should Never Be a Couple (31 minutes) or Causing Pain: Real Stories of Dating
Abuse Violence (30 minutes). Ask parents for their response to what they have seen. Facilitate a discussion using the
video guide and/or the club’s own discussion questions. Information for obtaining these videos can be found in the
Resources section, (p. 23).
1. Conclude the workshop by emphasizing that every teen deserves, and has the right to, a safe and healthy
dating relationship. As parents, they are in the best position to make a difference in the lives of their teens
and to positively influence their understanding and experiences of dating relationships.
2. Distribute an information packet to each parent that includes the following:
Page 13
•
•
•
•
Teen Dating Violence: Resources
A Parent’s Handbook: How to Talk to Your Children About Developing Healthy Relationships.
Encourage parents to be proactive and use the parent handbooks to initiate conversations with their teen
about dating violence. Suggest they give the bookmark to their teen as a way to let him/her know they
care about his/her safety and well-being. Emphasize that should their teen become involved in an abusive
relationship, they do not have to deal with the situation on their own. Encourage parents to review the
resources provided to them so they know where to get help should they need it.
VI. A PROJECT TARGETING SCHOOL PERSONNEL
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS PRESENTATION
As mentioned earlier, outreach to school personnel is important given that teens spend the majority of their waking
life in school. Schools are mandated to create safe environments for students and they have the responsibility to
take preventive action against teen dating violence. Schools can do this in three ways:
•
•
•
Draft and implement a teen dating violence policy.
Train school personnel.
Educate students.
By meeting with school administrators and presenting information, Soroptimist clubs can encourage schools to take
these steps toward the prevention of teen dating violence. The results from the community needs assessment will
help clubs determine the level of action—or inaction—the local schools have taken with regard to teen dating
violence. The results of the assessment will also help determine which level of school administration clubs should
approach. Generally, there are several tiers of school administration within a community: a school board, school
superintendent, and principals or headmasters, for instance. Clubs will need to determine which administrative
body is most appropriate and advantageous to approach.
Clubs may have as little as 10 minutes on a school board meeting agenda. The presentation needs to be concise,
with three main objectives:
•
•
•
Introduce the topic of teen dating violence.
Explain how schools can help prevent teen dating violence.
Provide resources for taking action.
In preparation for the presentation, make copies of and distribute the following handouts:
•
•
•
•
Teen Dating Violence: Just for School Personnel.
Handouts are in the Appendix section (p. 27) of this model program kit. They are writeable PDF documents that
clubs can personalize. Also, the resource handout provides space for clubs to add contact information.
The Presentation
1. Begin the presentation with the following statement and narrative:
As many as one-third of teens experience some form of abuse in their romantic dating relationships. One
such teen is Nicole and this is her story:
Page 14
When I was 15, I went to summer school, and I met this guy. And we became a couple.
Slowly, he became controlling and verbally abusive. And then finally, it led to him hitting
me. It would be just like a flicking of the head… and then one time it was a hit in the face.
And then he was choking me on the stairs. It made me feel very scared and alone and
confused.
Starting the presentation with a story will engage school personnel on both a personal and professional
level—Nicole could be their daughter and this could be happening in the halls of the school they are
charged with keeping safe.
2. Offer a definition of teen dating violence and recite a few select statistics from the handout: Teen Dating
Violence: Just the Facts.
3. Using the handout, Teen Dating Violence: Just for School Personnel, talk about the important role schools
play in the prevention of teen dating violence and describe the three ways schools can help prevent teen
dating violence (stated above).
4. Describe the Lindsay Ann Burke Act and promote it as a model to follow.
5. Bring attention to the “School-Based Violence Prevention Programs” listing from the handout: Teen Dating
Violence: Resources. Encourage the use of this invaluable resource—a review of 20 school-based teen
dating violence prevention programs.
6. Distribute the packet of handouts, and encourage the administrative body to take action to help prevent
teen dating violence.
7. At appropriate intervals, follow-up with the school personnel contact person to ask about any progress
made and whether the club can help.
VII. A PROJECT TARGETING TEENS, PARENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY AT THE MALL
In most communities, shopping malls are a central gathering place for the community—especially for teenagers. By
conducting an awareness event at a local mall, clubs can target all three main audiences of the Soroptimist Teen
Dating Violence Awareness Campaign at once: teens, parents and school personnel. Therefore, it is recommended
that clubs conduct an awareness day at their local mall. Clubs can set up a literature table and distribute all the
following handouts developed for this model program kit, which can be found in the Appendix (p. 27):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Teen Dating Violence: Just for Parents.
Teen Dating Violence: Just for School Personnel.
Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Bookmarks.
In addition, clubs may also wish to distribute the following parent handbooks:
•
•
A Parent’s Handbook: How to Talk to Your Children About Developing Healthy Relationships.
Page 15
For information on ordering these parent handbooks, please refer to the Resources section (p. 23).
Clubs should make the table as eye catching as possible: hang a banner, set up an easel, tie balloons, etc. To
attract the attention of teens, clubs may wish to partner with a middle and/or high school student group, and have
them help distribute materials. Clubs may also consider some form of entertainment to draw an audience, such as
performances by a school chorus or band, or perhaps students from the drama department could perform a skit.
Be creative and inventive in drawing people to the table and getting the information into the hands of the public.
To help clubs with their efforts and alert the media, SIA headquarters has created a sample news release and
editorial. These documents are below.
Clubs in the U.S. may wish to conduct their event during the month of February, which has been designated by the
U.S. Senate as the National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Clubs in other countries may
choose to conduct their campaign on the Saturday in February closest to Valentine’s Day.
Clubs may also want to consider conducting the mall event on the Saturday closest to November 25, which is the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In general, any time the club can tie the
campaign into an already established event the better, as this will increase the chances the campaign will receive
media attention.
Page 16
Soroptimist International XXX XXX XXXX P H O N E
of Club Name Street Address XXX XXX XXXX F A X
City, State, Zip Code xxxxx@xxxxxx.org E - M A I L
Soroptimist International of (CLUB NAME) Launches Teen Dating Violence Project
Women’s group to distribute literature at [NAME OF MALL]
Date
Contact: Name
Phone number, email address
[CITY]— Teenagers always want to know who, among their peers, is dating whom. What they don’t know is that
some of their peers are victims of dating violence. On [DATE], Soroptimist International of [CLUB NAME], an
international volunteer organization for business and professional women will hold a “Teen Dating Violence
Awareness Day” at [NAME OF MALL] to educate the public about this hidden epidemic.
The event is in recognition of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month of February. The
club will distribute literature for teens, parents, and school personnel that present facts about teen dating violence;
provides warning signs; and gives information on where to go for help.
OR
The event is in recognition of the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against
Women (November 25). The club will distribute literature for teens, parents, and school personnel that present
facts about teen dating violence; provides warning signs; and gives information on where to go for help.
“Dating and being in an intimate relationship is a normal part of being a teenager. Unfortunately, some teenagers
become involved with a partner who is physically, sexually, or mentally abusive,” said [NAME], president of
[SOROPTIMIST CLUB NAME]. “It is important that teens recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship—
whether it is their own relationship or that of a friend—and know where to go for help before it is too late.”
As many as one-third of all teenagers have experienced some form of abuse in their dating relationships. In
addition, girls ages 16 to 24 are the most vulnerable to intimate partner violence. To shed light on this topic,
Soroptimist headquarters in Philadelphia has developed a white paper about teen dating violence that provides an
in-depth look at many of the abuse issues teenagers face. It is available at:
http://www.soroptimist.org/whitepapers/wp_teendating.html.
Soroptimist International of CLUB NAME is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Headquartered in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Soroptimist is an international organization of business and professional
women working to improve the social and economic lives of underserved women and girls. Its major program, the
Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards, provides cash grants for women seeking to improve their lives with
the help of additional education and training. Each year, about $1.5 million is disbursed to deserving women
through this award-winning program. Soroptimist’s programs are delivered through a volunteer network that
includes members and its online community, LiveYourDream.org. A 501©(3) organization, Soroptimist relies on
charitable donations to fund its programs. See Soroptimist.org for more information. To learn more about the
club, contact CLUB CONTACT NAME AND EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER.
###
Page 17
Soroptimist International of Club Name Street Address City, State, Zip Code Country XXX XXX XXXX P H O N E
XXX XXX XXXX F A X
xxxxx@xxxxxx.org E - M A I L
Even as you read this, teen girls are being hit, slapped, belittled, and sexually abused by a dating partner. It’s
called teen dating violence. And the sad truth is, it may be happening to a teen girl you love. Your daughter. Your
sister. Your friend.
An even sadder truth? You may not know about it. Many people don’t. When they think of domestic violence,
they usually envision adults. Or, they minimize it, attributing it to fights between young lovers or the drama of
puppy love. In addition, many teen victims rarely tell others about the abuse. They may fear reporting crimes
because they have acted against their parents’ wishes or fear retaliation by their perpetrators.
Soroptimist, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and
throughout the world, wants you to become aware of this hidden epidemic. We, as members of Soroptimist
International of (CLUB NAME), want you to know the alarming numbers.
Today in the United States, one in three girls will have an abusive dating experience by the time she graduates
from high school. More than eight million girls per year will suffer at the hands of a violent boyfriend before she
reaches the age of 18.
Those statistics should frighten and concern everyone. Parents, teachers and teens themselves need to know these
facts and more—that while teen dating violence can be physical, it is also verbal, emotional, and sexual. More and
more, the abuse is extending to cyberspace where teens are controlling and stalking dating partners through cell
phones and the Internet.
The consequences are often dire. Teens who are abused in a dating relationship often engage in drug and alcohol
use, may suffer eating disorders or depression, and even commit suicide. In some cases, boyfriends murder their
dating partners.
The U.S. Senate takes this issue seriously. In 2010 the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Resolution 373 which
designates the entire month of February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. In honor of
this month and to create public awareness around this issue, Soroptimist International of (CLUB) members will be
at (NAME OF MALL AND LOCATION) on (DATES AND TIMES) distributing literature about teen dating
violence so the public can learn more about this critical issue and what can be done.
(OR)
The world community takes the issue of violence against women seriously. On November 25, the United Nations’
(UN) International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women raises public awareness of violence
against women in all countries around the world and at all levels of society. In honor of this week, and to create
public awareness around the hidden epidemic of teen dating violence, Soroptimist International of (CLUB)
members will be at (NAME OF MALL AND LOCATION) on (DATES AND TIME) distributing literature about
teen dating violence so the public can learn more about this critical issue and what can be done.
Soroptimist International of (CLUB NAME) is conducting this “mall awareness event” during (National Teen
Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month) or (on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence
Against Women) to ensure that everyone gets the message: teen dating violence is happening, it’s dangerous and
it’s hurting countless teen girls this very minute.
Page 18
So learn more. Join us at (NAME OF MALL AGAIN on DATE again). Or, visit our website at
www.soroptimist.org and read our white paper on teen dating violence. The more you know, the more you can
begin to help countless teen girls—and even tweens as young as 11—who are suffering in silence, afraid, alone
and confused. Remember. It could be your daughter, your sister, your friend.
END
Page 19
VIII. RAISING FUNDS FOR THE CAMPAIGN
Ideally, a fund committee was formed during the preliminary planning stage to coordinate fundraising efforts.
Listed below are three main ways clubs can raise funds:
•
•
•
Hold a community fundraiser.
Solicit sponsorship from local businesses.
Apply for a Soroptimist Club Grant for Women and Girls.
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER
Holding a community fundraiser is an excellent way, not only to raise funds for a club project, but to also raise the
community profile of Soroptimist in general. In support of club fundraising efforts, SIA has developed a resource
titled: Event Ideas: Successful Soroptimist Fundraisers. The guide is designed to help clubs maximize their fundraising
efforts. It contains examples of outstanding fundraising events—all of which have been culled from Soroptimists
Celebrating Success! entries. Clubs can use the guide to develop a new fundraising event, or to inject innovative
and fresh ideas into an annual event that has grown stale. Fundraisers described in the guide can be replicated in
their entirety or clubs can pick and choose aspects to incorporate into their own event ideas. The guide also
includes club contact information. This guide can be found in the fundraising section of the members’ area of the
Soroptimist website, or by clicking: http://www.soroptimist.org/members/fundraising/fundraisinghome.html.
SPONSORSHIP
Local businesses often support local community projects or events. By doing so, the business can advertise itself as
an active community member. The same applies to national or international corporations that happen to be
headquartered in the local community.
A club can solicit sponsorship from local businesses, including making a request for:
•
•
•
Cash sponsorship.
Donations of materials and/or services.
Discounts on materials and/or services.
When seeking a sponsorship, two sets of talking points should be created:
•
•
A brief description of the project, including the who, what, where, when and how.
Why the business should support the project. What will they get in return? Make sure to include how the
club will acknowledge and publicize the sponsorship.
SOROPTIMIST CLUB GRANTS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS
Each year Soroptimist awards $175,000 in grant money to fund local Soroptimist club projects. The grants range in
$500 increments from $500 to $10,000. The application form, along with an excellent PowerPoint presentation
and script on writing—and receiving—a Soroptimist Club Grant, are in the program section of the members’ area
of the website: http://www.soroptimist.org/members/program/Program_ClubGrants.html.
When applying for a Soroptimist Club Grant, keep in mind that the construction of the proposal is taken into
consideration. So take great care when writing the proposal. A report of the current year’s grant winning projects
is one the website at the link listed above.
Page 20
IX. PUBLICIZING THE CAMPAIGN
Publicity is an especially crucial step, not just for the success of the campaign, but also to raise the profile of
Soroptimist and recruit new club members. Ideally, the club already has a public relations committee or formed one
during the preliminary planning stage of the campaign.
The public relations committee should be responsible for all media outreach, such as writing news releases, public
service announcements, media advisories, and/or letters to the editors, and developing print advertisement.
Appointing these duties to the public relations committee will help assure that the message stays on point and is
consistent.
Soroptimist headquarters has developed the following resources:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Media Consent Form.
News Release Template.
Media Advisory Template.
Fact Sheet Template.
Public Service Announcement Template.
Soroptimist Logos and Stationery.
The overarching consideration of the public relations strategy should be: How can the club best attract the media’s
attention? One way is to identify news, radio and/or television reporters sympathetic to issues relating to women
and/or girls and cultivate a professional relationship with them. Begin by sending them a media kit—a folder of
information that will help the media to create an engaging and accurate story. When putting together the media
kit, please review the document Media Kit 101.
Soroptimists who have questions about their publicity efforts can contact Public Relations Manager Kamali Brooks
at <kamali@soroptimist.org> for advice and suggestions on news releases, letters to the editor, public service
announcements, media kits and other time-sensitive media materials.
Also, when conducting media outreach, remember to use LiveYourDream.org and the materials provided on the
website.
REACH OUT TO POTENTIAL NEW CLUB MEMBERS
When planning the publicity strategy, remember to reach out to potential members. Inviting potential members to
help with a hands-on community project is much more engaging than inviting them to a social event. Women decide
to become Soroptimists because of their interest in the mission. Inviting potential members to join the campaign is an
excellent opportunity to demonstrate the value in a Soroptimist membership. Soroptimist headquarters offers many
recruitment materials in the membership section of the members’ area of the website:
http://www.soroptimist.org/members/membership/membershiphome.html.
X. EVALUATING THE OUTCOMES OF THE CAMPAIGN
A post-campaign outcomes-based club project evaluation will determine whether goals were met and help identify
what worked well and what aspects need improvement. The evaluation method doesn’t need to be complicated or
time-consuming, just simply aligned with the goals of the campaign. It should also measure impact on the community,
media attention received, new members gained, etc. The club then needs to discuss how results will be used.
As previously mentioned, Soroptimist headquarters provides an outcomes-based club project evaluation template.
For frequently asked questions, detailed instructions for implementing outcomes-based evaluation, and an example
Page 21
evaluation, please read Outcomes-Based Project Evaluation for Soroptimist Clubs available on the SIA website:
http://www.soroptimist.org/members/program/SoroptimistLocalClubProjects.html.
XI. REPORTING, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, AND SUGGESTIONS
Once the club has completed the Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Awareness Campaign, share the success with
Soroptimist headquarters and other Soroptimist clubs by submitting a:
•
•
•
Program Focus Report.
Soroptimists Celebrating Success! entry.
Best for Women magazine article.
PROGRAM FOCUS REPORT
In an effort to track the effectiveness of model program kits, go to the online reporting option listed on the home
page of the Soroptimist International website <http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/>; fill out the Program
Focus Report online; and submit it directly into the database. For access to the database, the username is: sia and
the password is: philadelphia. Please note that both the username and password must be in lower case characters.
This is a way not only to report on the use of the model program kit, but also to keep Soroptimist International
aware of the important club projects undertaken in this federation.
Please note that SIA is no longer accepting mailed, e-mailed, or faxed Program Focus Reports. For your club
project to be reflected in Soroptimist International’s program database or to be eligible for Soroptimist
International Best Practice awards, you will need to enter the project information directly into the online database.
SUBMIT A SOROPTIMISTS CELEBRATING SUCCESS! ENTRY
Successful projects should be sent for judging in the Soroptimist Celebrating Success! award program. Instructions
for submitting an entry are in the program section of the members’ area of the website:
<http://www.soroptimist.org/members/program/SoroptimistProgramInfo.html>.
SUBMIT AN ARTICLE TO BEST FOR WOMEN MAGAZINE
Inclusion in the Best for Women magazine is an excellent way to share the success of the club’s campaign.
Remember to include action photos. The magazine submission form is in the public awareness section of the
members’ area of the website: <http://www.soroptimist.org/members/bestforwomen/bestforwomen.html>.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, AND SUGGESTIONS
If the club has any questions or concerns about mentoring or this model program kit, please contact the program
department. We also welcome any comments or ideas for improving this resource for members.
Soroptimist International of the Americas
1709 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6103
Phone: 215-893-9000
Fax: 215-893-5200
E-mail <program@soroptimist.org>
Web: <www.soroptimist.org>
Page 22
XII. SOROPTIMIST CLUB PROJECTS
The following projects addressing teen dating violence have received a Soroptimist Club Grant for Women and
Girls.
SI/FREMONT, OH (MIDWESTERN REGION): <sifremont@soroptimist.net>
SI/Fremont, OH was awarded a $5,000 Soroptimist Club Grant in support of its project TRAP: Teen Relationship
Abuse Prevention. SI/Fremont, OH is using its grant to provide educational materials and forums for teens, parents,
and community members on healthy dating relationships and teen dating violence. The club used its funds to
purchase literature such as bookmarks, brochures, and posters, and for campaign and public relations expenses.
Club members are organizing and promoting presentations for two high schools, running an educational workshop
for parents and community members, and preparing and presenting a curriculum at a local pregnancy crisis center.
SI/BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL (MIDWESTERN REGION): <sibloomington.normal@soroptimist.net>
SI/Bloomington-Normal, IL was awarded a $2,500 Soroptimist Club Grant for its project VIP: Invitation for
Communication. Club members created workshops for teen girls and their mothers on the topic of healthy teen
relationships. SI/Bloomington-Normal used their grant to purchase workshop supplies and materials.
SI/HOFU, JAPAN (JAPAN NISHI REGION): <sihofu@soroptimist.net>
SI/Hofu was awarded a $5,000 Soroptimist Club Grant for its new campaign Raising Awareness of Teen Dating
Violence. This initiative implemented a new teen dating violence public awareness campaign and continued to
support a domestic violence shelter. Club members used the grant to create and distribute flyers and lecture
materials at local high schools and for the operational costs of the shelter.
SI/IMABARI, JAPAN (JAPAN NISHI REGION): <siimabari@soroptimist.net>
SI/Imabari was awarded a $1,000 Soroptimist Club Grant for its project Are You Aware of Teen Dating Violence?
Club members created and distributed literature about teen dating violence to high school students as part of a
larger awareness raising project that included a formal lecture presentation of the issue at local high schools.
SI/Imabari used their grant to for brochure printing costs.
XIII. RESOURCES
VIDEO RESOURCES
[Ending Violence]
Break the Cycle created [Ending Violence], an innovative teen dating violence prevention curriculum in an
interactive DVD format. The DVD includes video segments, interactive classroom activities, discussion prompts,
animation, role play activities and extended research projects. The curriculum was designed to be easily modified
for different teaching styles, timeframe, and students.
Price: $99
<http://www.breakthecycle.org/content/ending-violence>
<info@breakthecycle.org>
310-286-3383
Page 23
Dating Matters
In partnership with Liz Claiborne, Inc., Choose Respect created Dating Matters, a free 60-minute, online training
course designed to help educators, youth-focused organizations, and others working with teens understand the risks
and warning signs of teen dating violence.
Price: free
<http://www.cdc.gov/chooserespect/>
<cdcinfo@cdc.gov>
800-232-4636
Causing Pain: Real Stories of Dating Abuse Violence
Causing Pain: Real Stories of Dating Abuse Violence is a 43-minute video created by Choose Respect. The video is
divided into two segments: one is 13 minutes and geared toward teens; the other is 30 minutes and aimed at
parents and other adults. Both videos describe experiences and insights, so that teens and parents can recognize
and prevent dating abuse in their own lives or in the lives of their friends. The videos are available for free
download on Choose Respect’s website. In addition, a free video discussion guide and free video discussion guide
PowerPoint’s are available.
Price: free
<http://www.cdc.gov/chooserespect/>
<cdcinfo@cdc.gov>
800-232-4636
Dating and Violence Should Never Be a Couple
Dating and Violence Should Never Be a Couple is a 31-minute DVD created for the National Teen Dating Violence
Prevention Initiative, sponsored by the American Bar Association. In the video, teenagers talk about their personal
experiences with teen dating violence to evoke thought and dialogue among teens, educators, parents and other
appropriate professionals. A free Teen Dating Violence Prevention poster is included with the video.
Price: $4.50
<http://www.abanet.org/publiced/teendating.shtml>
<askaba@abanet.org>
800-285-2221
PARENT HANDBOOK RESOURCES
The Choose Respect Playbook
This four-part playbook is designed to guide parents, caregivers, teachers, and/or community members in
planning, implementing, and evaluating community-wide initiatives addressing teen dating violence and healthy
relationships. The playbook is divided into four sections, called “zones,” devoted to addressing the issue at home,
at school, in the community, and within a policy education and advocacy framework.
All four-parts of the playbook are available for free download from: Choose Respect
<http://www.cdc.gov/chooserespect/> or <cdcinfo@cdc.gov>
800-232-4636
Page 24
A Parent’s Handbook: How to Talk to Your Children about Developing Healthy Relationships
The goal of this handbook is to help parents create an environment in which they can give their teen the skills to
have positive, healthy relationships with peers and in dating relationships. The goal is that the implementation of
those skills will help prevent relationship violence and break the cycle of abuse. The handbook provides steps to
start a dialogue about teen dating violence, and tips for talking with teens about relationships. It also includes a
resource guide.
A Parent’s Guide to Teen Dating Violence: 10 Questions to Start the Conversation
This handbook provides parents of teens with language, conversation starters and facts to help them close the gap
and open channels of communication. It helps parents learn how to talk with their teens about the violence that can
occur within a relationship. and the confusion and pain it causes. Included in the handbook are statistics on dating
violence and its prevalence among teens today, a clear definition of dating abuse, and tips on how to get a
conversation started.
Both handbooks are free and can be ordered or downloaded from:
Liz Claiborne Inc., Love Is Not Abuse
1441 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10018
800-449-7867, <www.loveisnotabuse.com>
MODEL PROGRAM KIT RESOURCES
The following resources have been used to help design the projects in this model program kit:
Love is Not Abuse: A Teen Dating Violence Prevention Curriculum <www.loveisnotabuse.com/>
Teen Action Toolkit: Building a Youth-Led Response to Teen Victimization
<www.ncvc.org/tvp/AGP.Net/Components/DocumentViewer/Download.aspxnz?DocumentID=43492>
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative <www.abanet.org/publiced/teendating.shtml>
Community Action Kit: Helping Preteens and Teens Build Healthy Relationships
<http://www.unajauladeoro.com/cd/manuales/choose_respect_action_kit.pdf>
See It, Stop It, Get Organized <www.seeitandstopit.org/pages/>
Break the Cycle: Empowering Youth to End Domestic Violence <www.breakthecycle.org/resources-curriculum-and-
video.html>
MORE RESOURCES
Listed below are teen dating violence and/or domestic violence resources organized by country.
Argentina
Centro de Encuentros Cultura y Mujer <www.cecym.org.ar/>
Bolivia
Casa de la Mujer <http://www.casadelamujer.org.bo/>
Brazil
Centro Feminista de Estudos e Assessoria <www.cfemea.org.br/>
Conselho Nacional dos Direitos da Mulher <www.presidencia.gov.br/estrutura_presidencia/sepm/conselho/>
Centro Feminista de Estudos e Assessoria (CFEMEA) <http://www.cfemea.org.br/>
Page 25
Canada
Dating Violence, Family Violence Initiative, Department of Justice <www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/fv-vf/factsinfo/dati-freq.html>
School-Based Violence Prevention Programs: A Resource Manual
<www.ucalgary.ca/resolve/violenceprevention/English/index.htm>
Center for Research on Violence Against Women and Children <http://www.crvawc.ca/>
Chile
Fundacion Instituto de la Mujer <http://www.insmujer.cl/>
Colombia
Organización Feminina Popular <http://www.ofp.org.co/>
Costa Rica
Centro Feminista de Informacion y Accion <http://www.cefemina.com/ibfan-lac/index.html>
Ecuador
Coordinadora Politíca de Mujeres Ecuatorianas <cpme@andinanet.net>
Japan
Japan Child and Family Research Institute <www.aiiku.or.jp/index.php>
Yokohama Women’s Association <www.women.city.yokohama.jp/>
Korea
Korea Women’s Hotline <http://eng.hotline.or.kr/>
Mexico
Semillas: Sociedad Mexicana Pro Derechos de la Mujer <www.semillas.org.mx/>
Paraguay
Comité de America Latine y el Caribe Para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer (CLADEM Paraguay)
<http://www.cladem.org.py/www/>
Peru
Centro de la Mujer Peruana Flora Tristan <www.flora.org.pe/>
Philippines
National Alliance of Women’s Organizations <http://member.tripod.com/~gabriela_p/>
Department of Social Welfare and Development <www.dswd.gov.ph>
Bathaluman Crisis Center Foundation, Inc. <http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/Directory.aspx?id=798>
Puerto Rico
Feministas en Marcha <anarlfem@igc.apc.org>
Taiwan
Taiwan Association for Human Rights <http://www.tahr.org.tw/>
United States
Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence <www.caepv.org>
The Family Violence Prevention Fund <www.endabuse.org>
Mentors in Violence Prevention <http://www.northeastern.edu/sportinsociety/mentors/index.html>
Page 26
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence <www.ncdsv.org>
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence <www.ncadv.org>
Venezuela
Centro de Estudios de la Mujer de la UCV <http://cem.ve.tripod.com/>
International
UN Women <http://www.unwomen.org/>
World Health Organization <www.who.int/en/>
XIV. APPENDIX
HANDOUTS:
1.
What is Teen Dating Violence? – Excerpt
2.
Stories of Dating Abuse – Scenario
3.
4.
Teen Dating Violence: Just the Facts
5.
Teen Dating Violence: Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
6.
Teen Dating Violence: Prevention Tips
7.
Teen Dating Violence: Just for Friends
8.
Teen Dating Violence: Just for Parents
9.
Teen Dating Violence: Just for School Personnel
10. Teen Dating Violence: Resources
11. Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence Bookmark
Page 27
Classroom Exercise: What is Teen Dating Violence?
Teen Dating Violence: Classroom Exercise
WHAT IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE?
I Thought Things Would Change
From In Love & Danger, by Adaliz Rodriquez
What hurt me the most were his mean words. I wasn’t used to the kind of names he called
me. My parents never allowed that kind of language. I cried a lot. I walked looking down.
I’d ditch school a lot, and, although I made sure I passed, I was falling behind. I was
miserable. I’d tell him he was hurting me verbally. I’d try to break up with him, then he’d cry
and say, “I’m sorry, don’t leave me. I’ll stop hitting you.” I’d believe him, because I didn’t
want to leave him; I wanted him to change.
… He had to make sure I wasn’t doing anything. He’d find out from his friends if I was
talking to someone, and we’d get in a big argument. He’d call me disgusting names, and
make me cry. He’d hit me, push me, sock me in the stomach and in the head. He was smart.
He knew not to leave me with bruises that showed.
He told me about the problems his parents had. He used to jump on his father to stop him
from hitting his mother. He said he’d never hit me like his father did. Then when he hit me,
he’d say he didn’t mean to, and turn it around so that it was my fault: “If you just didn’t do
those things, I wouldn’t hit you.” In other words, I shouldn’t get him so mad or provoke him to
hit me.”
Provided Compliments of:
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Campaign: Because Teens Have the Right to be in Safe & Healthy Relationships
For more information, visit www.soroptimist.org and www.liveyourdream.org (Sources: www.loveisrespect.org, www.loveisnotabuse.com, www.abanet.org)
Classroom Exercise: Stories of Dating Abuse
Teen Dating Violence: Classroom Exercise
STORIES OF DATING ABUSE
Scenario
Amy is a junior in high school. David is a senior who attends a different high school on the
other side of town. One night at the local pizza place, a mutual friend introduces them to
each other. They had fun hanging out together so David asked for Amy’s phone number.
They have been seeing each other ever since—about three months now.
In the beginning, Amy thought David was the sweetest guy she had ever met. He was so
caring and concerned about her. He wanted to know who all her friends were; how she was
doing in her classes; how she got along with her mother. He even gave her a cell phone so
he could always reach her—just to tell her how much he loved her.
Lately, David’s behavior has changed. He acts jealous and accuses Amy of seeing someone
behind his back. She has assured him she isn’t seeing anyone else, but he doesn’t believe
her. He has started calling her names like “whore” and “slut,” and he tells her that her
mother doesn’t love her and that her friends are all fake. He tells her that when he calls her,
she’d better answer—or else. He said that if he hears a guy’s voice in the background, he
will know that she is cheating on him, and he will find the boy and kill him—and Amy too.
Amy still loves David, but now she is sometimes scared of him. She’s afraid that her mother
would make her break up with him if she knew, and Amy doesn’t want to do that. She thinks
she can handle David if she can convince him that she loves only him and that he doesn’t
need to be jealous. So what if he’s a little rough when they argue—doesn’t that happen to
everybody? He only left bruises one time, and she knows he didn’t mean it.
Teen Dating Violence: What is it?
Teen Dating Violence: What is it?
Teen dating violence is any controlling or abusive behavior in a romantic relationship. It can happen in straight or
gay relationships. It can include verbal, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse.
Controlling behavior may include:
 Not letting you hang out with your friends
 Telling you what to wear
 Frequently calling or texting to find out
where you are, who you are with, and what
you are doing
Physical abuse may include:
 Shoving
 Punching
 Slapping
 Kicking
 Hair pulling
Verbal or emotional abuse may include:
 Calling you names
 Jealousy
 Threatening to hurt you, or someone in your
family, if you don’t do what your partner
wants
Sexual abuse may include:
 Unwanted touching or kissing
 Forcing you to go further sexually than you
want
 Not letting you use birth control
If You are a Target of
Dating Violence, You
Might….
Feel angry, sad, lonely, depressed or confused
Feel helpless to stop the abuse
Feel threatened or humiliated
Feel like you can’t talk to family or friends
Be afraid of getting hurt more seriously
Feel protective of your boyfriend or girlfriend
Think that it is your fault
Getting Help…
Being a target of dating
violence is not your fault.
Nothing you say, wear or do
gives anyone the right to
hurt you. If you think you
may be in an abusive
relationship, get help
immediately. Talk to
someone you trust, like a
parent, teacher, school
principal, counselor or
nurse—or text/call the
number below...
For more information, visit www.soroptimist.org and www.liveyourdream.org (Source: www.ncvc.org)
FEMALES AGES 16 - 24 ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE THAN ANY OTHER AGE GROUP.
Verbal,
Physical and
Sexual Abuse
Technology
and Dating
Abuse
Peer Influence
Parental
Awareness
Reporting
Abuse and
Ending a
Relationship
Dire
Consequences
•1 in 4 teenage girls in a relationship report enduring repeated verbal abuse.
•1 in 3 teens who have been in a relationship experience the most serious forms of
dating violence and abuse including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and threats of
physical harm.
•1 in 2 teens in dating relationships report being controlled, threatened, or
pressured to do things they did not want to do.
•1 in 3 teens say their partner sends text messages up to 30 times an hour
inquiring about their whereabouts.
•1 in 4 teens say they have been called names or harassed by their partner via
cell phone and text message.
•Male peers with male friends who are abusive to their dating partners are more
likely to be abusive in their own relationships.
•Almost two-thirds of parents whose children have been in a dating relationship say
dating violence and abuse have not been a problem for their teens.
•82 percent of parents feel confident that they could recognize if their teen was
experiencing dating violence, however more than half of these parents could not
correctly identify the warning signs of abuse.
•1 in 3 teens who were in an abusive relationship never told anyone about the abuse.
•80% of girls who have been physically abused in their relationship continue to date
their abuser.
•1 in 5 girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence if
presented with a breakup.
•Many victims of teen dating abuse will continue to be abused in their adult
relationships.
•Victims of teen dating violence are at a higher risk for substance abuse, eating
disorders, risky sexual behavior and suicide.
•Of girls and young women between the ages of 15-19 murdered each year,
30% are killed by their boyfriend or husband.
You have the
to be in a
right
happy, healthy relationship.
Claim your dating rights!
Does your girlfriend or boyfriend:
You have the right to:
n spread rumors or share private
pictures of you on the web?
n harass you via cell phone or
text messaging?
n embarrass you in front of others?
n act in ways that frighten you?
n try to control who you see, what
you do, or what you wear?
n monitor your computer or cell
phone use?
n get angry at you of ten or quickly?
n shove, kick or slap you?
n force you to have sex?
n pressure you to use alcohol or drugs?
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
make decisions about your own body
choose your own friends
be treated with respect
express your own thoughts
and opinions
live without fear or intimidation
feel good about yourself
choose what to wear
change your mind
spend time with your family
private use of your cell phone
or computer
spend time doing things of interest
to you
If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, you can get help!
Call the National Teen Dating
Abuse Hotline toll free:
1-866-331-9474 or
TTY 1-866-331-8453.
Or visit LoveIsRespect.org.
Provided compliments of:
LIVE YOUR
dream
.org
Visit LoveIsNotAbuse.com
for teen dating information
and resources.
Teen Dating Violence: Prevention Tips
Teen Dating Violence: Help Stop Dating Abuse Before it Begins
The safety and well-being of teens is a joint responsibility of those who are most often in direct
contact with them: parents, school personnel and, of course, other teens. Listed below are a few
prevention tips to help stop teen dating violence before it begins.
Prevention Tips
Prevention Tips
Prevention Tips
for Teens
for Parents
for School Personnel

Respect yourself.
Respect others.

Speak up about teen
dating violence.




Listen, listen, listen—
develop a relationship
of respect with your
teen.

Provide your teen with
positive feedback;
encourage healthy selfesteem.
Form a student group to
conduct awarenessraising events.
Seek training from an
organization that
addresses teen dating
violence.

Become a peer
counselor.

Be available to listen to
a friend in need.
Spend quality time with
your teen—talk daily
with your teen.



Discuss the qualities of a
healthy relationship as
soon as your teen
expresses an interest in
dating.
Instill the value of
equality between
females and males.
Educate yourself about
the early warning signs
of teen dating violence.

Implement a teen dating
violence policy.

Make sure classrooms are
a comfortable place for
students to approach their
teachers.

Create opportunities for
students to speak out
about issues that concern
them.

Ensure school personnel
are educated and trained
on the issue of teen
dating violence.

Make sure teen dating
violence is a part of the
curriculum.

Talk to students about
personal responsibility.

Create an atmosphere of
mutual respect.

Provide support for
student groups working to
address the issue of teen
dating violence.
For more information, visit www.soroptimist.org and www.liveyourdream.org (Source: www.abanet.org)
What would you do if you thought your friend was in an abusive relationship?
Dating violence often takes place when a couple is alone. Since it may be hard to know if your friend is in an
abusive relationship, listed below are some warning signs to look for:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Their boyfriend/girlfriend is constantly checking up on them demanding to know where they are.
Your friend often cancels plans at the last minute for reasons that don’t seem true.
Their boyfriend/girlfriend acts extremely jealous when your friend talks to others.
Your friend’s weight, appearance or grades have changed dramatically since the relationship began.
Their boyfriend/girlfriend loses their temper easily and is prone to break things when angry.
Your friend is always worried about upsetting their boyfriend/girlfriend.
Your friend has unexplained injuries or gives explanations that don’t make sense.
What You Can Do to Help a Friend
When you know, or even suspect, that a friend is in an abusive relationship, you can help your friend by talking
with him/her about their relationship. Since it may be hard for you to know what to do or say, or how to say it,
here are some suggestions:
Stay calm and listen attentively.
Talk in a private, safe place.
Tell your friend why you are
concerned—be specific.
Ask your friend to share how
she/he feels about the
relationship.
Suggest talking to others who may
help, such as a counselor, teacher
or other trusted adult.
Let your friend know you are
available to talk again.
Offer to find support information
and resources for your friend.
DON'T
DO
Helpful Things to Say:
“I am glad you feel comfortable talking with me.”
“Nothing you did (or didn’t do) makes the abusive behavior your fault.”
“How can I help you?”
“I’ll support your decisions.”
Try to have all the answers.
Be judgmental.
Ask too many questions; give your
friend a chance to talk.
Pressure your friend to make a
decision.
Confront your friend’s
boyfriend/girlfriend—this could
have negative and possible
dangerous effects for your friend or
you.
For more information, visit www.soroptimist.org and www.liveyourdream.org (Sources: www.loveisrespect.org, www.abanet.org, www.ncvc.org)
Teen Dating Violence: Just For Parents
Teen Dating Violence: Just for Parents
Let your teen know you
are concerned for his/her
safety and well-being.
Point out that what is
occurring in the
relationship isn’t healthy.
Give examples of a
healthy relationship and
let your teen know this is
what you want for
him/her.
Listen carefully—be
supportive and
understanding, make no
judgments.
Let your teen know that
the abuse is not her fault,
and that no one deserves
to be abused.
Remain calm when talking
with your teen.
Focus on what your teen
needs.
Offer to arrange
professional support for
your teen, such as
counseling.
Identify support
information and
resources, and share them
with your teen.
What You Can Say to Your Teen
Dropping school activities
that used to be important.
Falling grades.
Dramatic changes in
appearance, such as
weight, dress or personal
hygiene.
Significant decrease in
time spent with other
friends.
Excessive time spent on the
phone or text messaging.
Changes in body
language, such as
slouching, fingernail biting
or avoidance of eye
contact.
Unexplained bruises or
injuries, with an
explanation that doesn’t
make sense.
Sudden emotional
changes, such as mood
swings, depression, anger
or crying.
Physical signs of stress,
such as headaches or
stomachaches.
Apologizing for his/her
boyfriend/girlfriend’s
behavior and making
excuses for the behavior.
What You Can Do to Help Your Teen
Early Warning Signs
As a parent who wants only the very best for your teen, just thinking about the possibility that he/she could be in
an abusive relationship can be very upsetting and frightening. However, as a parent, you play a powerful and
critical role in providing life-saving support for your teen should you discover he/she is in an abusive relationship.
Thank you for talking
with me about your
relationship.
How can I help you?
I believe you.
I support your decisions.
I love you
For more information, visit www.soroptimist.org and www.liveyourdream.org (Source: www.ncvc.org)
What Your School Can Do to Help Teens
Schools play a vital role in providing resources and help for students in abusive dating relationships. Does the
staff at your school know what to do should a student in an abusive relationship ask for help? Students in an
abusive situation may confide in a teacher, coach or school counselor, and school personnel must be prepared to
respond effectively. Following is a three-step plan for raising awareness and prevention of teen dating violence,
while assuring that school personnel are prepared to provide help to students experiencing teen dating violence.
Draft and Implement a Dating Violence Policy
A comprehensive policy should include specific guidelines for
responding to disclosures of dating violence. This should include
appropriate consequences for abusive students, and support services
and referrals for the targets of abuse. The policy should also include
protocols for involving campus security or police and local law
enforcement officials.
Train School Personnel
To ensure the successful implementation of dating violence policies,
school staff must have access to the information, training and
resources they need in order to effectively respond to a student in
need. School administration should provide regular in-person training
workshops for school personnel, including administrators, staff,
teachers, coaches, nurses, counselors and campus security or police.
Educate Students
Educating students about teen dating violence and its prevention is a
crucial part of creating a safe school environment for all students.
Along with implementing dating violence policies and training school
personnel, schools need to also include a teen dating violence
awareness and prevention curriculum as part of the school district’s
core curriculum.
The Lindsay Ann Burke Act
In 2007, the state of Rhode Island enacted the Lindsay Ann Burke Act, named in honor of a young woman who
was murdered by her boyfriend after a two-year struggle in an abusive relationship. The Act requires that all
school districts in Rhode Island implement a curriculum and policy on teen dating violence and teach said
curriculum every year, from 7th-12th grades. This Act serves as an excellent model for school administrators
seeking to implement a teen dating violence policy and curriculum into their school district. The details of the Act
can be found on the State of Rhode Island General Assembly website: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07490.htm.
For more information, visit www.soroptimist.org and www.liveyourdream.org (Sources: www.breakthecycle.org, www.abanet.org)
Break the Cycle
www.breakthecycle.org
Choose Respect
www.chooserespect.org
Love is Not Abuse
www.loveisnotabuse.com
Love is Respect: National Teen Dating
Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453
www.loveisrespect.org
National Center for Victims of Crime:
Dating Violence Resource Center
http://www.ncvc.org
National Teen Dating Violence and
Prevention Initiative
www.abanet.org
See it and Stop it
www.seeitandstopit.org
School-Based Violence Prevention
Programs
http://www.ucalgary.ca/resolve/violencepreventi
on/English/reviewprog/youthdintro.htm
Soroptimist International of the
Americas
www.soroptimist.org
•Engages, educates and organizes youth to build lives and communities free
from domestic violence and dating violence.
•An initiative designed to motivate teens to challenge harmful beliefs about
dating violence and take steps to form respectful relationships
•Provides information and tools that individual adults and teens, educators
and corporate executives can use to learn more about teen dating violence
and find out how they can help end teen dating violence.
•Resources and support services that can be accessed by phone or the
Internet. The helpline and www.loveisrespect.org offer real-time one-on-one
support from trained Peer Advocates.
•Provides training, resources and information to increase awareness of and
commitment to addressing teen dating violence.
•Resources created for the National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and
Prevention Month. Materials are geared for use by school administrators
and educators.
•An interactive website created by teens to help other teens stop
relationship violence.
•A review of 20 school-based teen dating violence prevention programs.
•Resources include a white paper that examines the issue of teen dating
violence and the obstacles teenagers face when deciding to end an abusive
relationship and an informational teen dating violence bookmark.
Teen Dating Violence: Bookmark
SIA has designed these bookmarks to help clubs raise awareness about teen dating violence and promote
healthy teen relationships. The teen dating violence bookmarks are available as writeable PDF documents, which
are easy for clubs to personalize and print at a local copy store or through an online printing vendor. The
bookmark, along with easy instructions for customizing and printing, can be found in the Program Section of the
Members Area of the SIA website at the following link:
http://www.soroptimist.org/members/program/Program_TDV.html
Bookmarks may also be purchased from the Soroptimist Store on the SIA website at the following link:
http://www.soroptimist.org/eseries/source/Orders/index.cfm?section=unknown&ETask=1&Task=1&SEARCH_TY
PE=FIND&FindIn=0&FindSpec=bookmark&x=11&y=2. The bookmarks come in packs of 50 for US$6. They are
available for purchase in English and Japanese only
For more information, visit www.soroptimist.org and www.liveyourdream.org (Sources: www.breakthecycle.org, www.abanet.org)

Teen Dating Violence

Transcription

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