Home > Systemwide > Service Array > Domestic Violence > Preventing Domestic Violence > Teen Dating Violence Prevention Programs

Teen Dating Violence Prevention Programs

The impact of domestic violence on children may continue through adolescence and adulthood. Adolescents who have grown up in violent homes are at risk of recreating the abusive relationships they have seen. The following resources help to equip child welfare professionals with information on how to prevent and respond to teen dating violence, State and local examples.

	Teen Dating Violence National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center Presents a compilation of publications addressing teen dating violence. Teen Dating Violence Campaigns National Resource Center on Domestic Violence Highlights campaigns developed to help prevent teen dating violence and/or promote healthy relationships for teens.

Choose Respect
Offers fun, educational materials and resources to help adolescents form healthy relationships and prevent dating abuse before it starts.

The Date Safe Project
Provides schools, students, and parents with educational resources to help address teen dating and sexual assault awareness in the community.

Dating Violence Among Emancipating Foster Youth
Jonson-Reid, Scott, McMillen, & Edmond
Children and Youth Services Review, 29(5), 2007
View Abstract
Presents findings regarding the prevalence of dating violence among foster youth and explores associations between maltreatment history, foster care placement history, mental health or substance abuse, and self-reported dating violence.

Mentoring Adolescent Girls: A Group Intervention for Preventing Dating Violence
Banister & Begoray (2008)
In Handbook of Evidence-Based Treatment Manuals for Children and Adolescents(2nd ed.)
View Abstract
Describes the elements and effectiveness of a mentoring program for adolescent girls that is designed to prevent dating violence. Includes a treatment manual with instructions for conducting 13 sessions.

Teen Dating Violence: A Review of Risk Factors and Prevention Efforts
O'Keefe & Aldridge (2005)
Reviews the potential risk factors for perpetrators and victims of dating violence and examines the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs targeting teens.

Teen Dating Violence Prevention Recommendations for Teens, Parents, School Personnel, Mental Health Professionals and School Counselors, Physicians and Health Care Professionals, Judges and Court Personnel, Victim Attorneys and Prosecutors, Law Enforcement Officers, and Domestic Violence Organizations (PDF - 1120 KB)
American Bar Association (2006)
Includes a series of recommendations written by teens that are targeted at nine key groups deemed critical to successful teen dating violence prevention efforts.

Teen Sexuality and Relationships
Feldheim
ABA Child Law Practice: Helping Lawyers Help Kids, 24, 2005
View Abstract
Discusses the range of special permanency planning issues that are faced by teenagers in the child welfare system who are involved in dating relationships and are sexually active.

Teens, Dating Violence, and Media Use: A Review of the Literature and Conceptual Model for Future Research
Manganello
Trauma, Violence, and Abuse: A Review Journal, 9(1), 2007
View Abstract
Provides an overview of the prevalence of teen dating violence, describes the potential for assessing media use as a risk factor, offers a conceptual model, and suggests ideas for future research.

Understanding Teen Dating Abuse (PDF - 159 KB)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006)
Defines teen dating violence, presents risk factors and health effects, and describes prevention approaches.

(Back to Top)

State and local examples

Expect Respect
Details a program developed in Austin, Texas, and replicated in communities across the country, that helps youth raise expectations and skills for healthy relationships, increases safety and respect on school campuses, and supports youth leadership in violence prevention.

Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP)
Center Against Domestic Violence (2005)
Includes lesson plans, parent workshops, and staff development materials for a school-based curriculum developed in New York City that teaches students to recognize and prevent teen relationship abuse.

Updated on March 1, 2010