Teen Dating Violence: See Judge - Act

1. Teen Dating Violence: See � Judge - Act Presentation for Catholic Religious Education Friday 30 May 2008

2. Conservative measures of teen dating violence include: Experiences of physical aggression Experiences of sexual coercion Prevalence of Teen Dating Violence Most studies of teen dating violence measure its prevalence by using self-reporting. Females are more likely than males to report. Modified Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS) are used. Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI) was developed by Wolfe et al (2001). Most studies of teen dating violence measure its prevalence by using self-reporting. Females are more likely than males to report. Modified Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS) are used. Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI) was developed by Wolfe et al (2001).

3. Broader measures of teen dating violence also include: Experiences of both verbal and psychological intimidation, as well as physical and sexual aggression. Prevalence of Teen Dating Violence

4. 12 � 59 % of teens (Jackson et al, 2000) 9 � 57% of teens (Avery-Leaf et al, 1997) 10 � 20% of teens (Wolfe et al, 2003) 38% of teens in New Brunswick 47% of teens in NB report they have witnessed dating violence in the past month (Cameron et al, 2004) GLBT youth are just as likely as opposite �sex couples to experience dating violence (Halpern et al, 2004) Prevalence of Teen Dating Violence According to Cameron et al, reported experiences of teen dating violence are rising among NB girls. Is there more violence or are students becoming more aware and therefore less tolerant of violence? Recent studies in Ontario schools found alarming rates of sexual harassment and sexual assault of girls. A report on sexual harassment at 23 Ontario schools by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health showed that 30% of Grade 9 girls and 28% of Grade 11 girls reported having been touched, grabbed or pinched in a sexual way. 21% of surveyed TDSB students said they knew of at least one student who had been sexually assaulted at school over the past two years (National Post, Feb. 2008).According to Cameron et al, reported experiences of teen dating violence are rising among NB girls. Is there more violence or are students becoming more aware and therefore less tolerant of violence? Recent studies in Ontario schools found alarming rates of sexual harassment and sexual assault of girls. A report on sexual harassment at 23 Ontario schools by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health showed that 30% of Grade 9 girls and 28% of Grade 11 girls reported having been touched, grabbed or pinched in a sexual way. 21% of surveyed TDSB students said they knew of at least one student who had been sexually assaulted at school over the past two years (National Post, Feb. 2008).

5. The majority of students believe that dating aggression is never justified. There are some that have attitudes that justify dating violence � these are considered �at-risk� youth. Most �at-risk� youth have also been victims of violence in their families. Teen Attitudes Toward Violence

6. Both males and females are more accepting of female aggression in dating relationships. Wolfe et al hypothesize that youth attitudes are more open to influence and girls learn that aggression is inappropriate in relationships (2003). Girls are more likely to use violence in self-defense. Teen Attitudes Toward Violence

7. Social and Cultural Factors: Gender-based power inequity in culture Patriarchal institutions Sexism and violence in the media Sex role stereotyping Factors Contributing to Dating Violence

8. Social and Cultural Factors: Peer pressure Youth self-identity is built, in part, on other-gendered relationships. There is social pressure to be in a relationship, even if it is a bad one. Aspects of the student �lifestyle� have high risk factors for violence: partying, drinking to excess, lack of guardians, and the presence of motivated offenders. Factors Contributing to Dating Violence

9. Individual Factors: Jealousy Anger Alcohol and drugs Witnessing domestic violence in family Experiences of child abuse Aggressive personalities Coercion and domination Limited social support Factors Contributing to Dating Violence

10. Anger, hurt and anxiety Physical injury Rape � half of the reported date rapes occur among teenagers (CALCASA 2002) Death � in the U.S., between 1993 and 1999, 22% of all homicides against females ages 16-19 were committed by an intimate partner. (Bureau of Justice) Effects of Dating Violence

11. A large number of teen relationships continue after the violence. Females are more likely than males to remain in physically violent relationships (Jackson et al, 2000). Males report feeling okay or were not bothered by violence. Effects of Dating Violence Do males experience dating violence differently than females? Do males experience dating violence differently than females?

12. Females are more likely to tell someone about the violence than males. Teens are more likely to tell their friends about experiences of dating violence than family members or counselors (Jackson et al, 2000). 81% of parents either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don�t know if it�s an issue (Women�s Health, 2004) Effects of Dating Violence 80% of TDSB students surveyed said they would not talk to teachers or police about crimes they witnessed or experienced (National Post, Feb. 2008)80% of TDSB students surveyed said they would not talk to teachers or police about crimes they witnessed or experienced (National Post, Feb. 2008)

13. Aims of dating violence prevention programs: Increase in knowledge base. Change attitudes, especially those that are accepting of violence in relationships. Dating Violence Prevention

14. Aims of dating violence prevention programs: Skill building: communication and problem-solving. Skill building: how to intervene when witnessing dating violence. Dating Violence Prevention

15. What can Christian teachers and youth ministry personnel do to prevent teen dating violence? What can we do to create a healthier social climate in our schools and classrooms? What is our church community doing to prevent teen dating violence? What can we do to change individual behaviors? Dating Violence Prevention

16. Avery-Leaf, S., Cascardi, M., O�Leary, K.D., & Cano, A. (1997). Efficacy of a dating violence prevention program on attitudes justifying aggression. Journal of adolescent health, 21, 11-17. Cameron, C. A., Byers, S., Miller, A., McKay, S.L., St. Pierre, M., Glenn, S. and the Provincial Strategy Team for Dating Violence Prevention (2007). �Dating Violence Prevention in New Brunswick.� Report prepared for Status of Women Canada by Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre For Family Violence Research University Of New Brunswick. Available on-line at http://www.unbf.ca/arts/CFVR/documents/PSTFinalReportJanuary2007E_004.pdf Jackson, S.M., Cram, F. & Seymour, F.W. (2000). Violence and sexual coercion in high school students� dating relationships. Journal of family violence, 15, 23-36. Wolfe, D.A., Wekerle, C., Scott, K., Straatman, A., Grasley, C., & Reitzel-Jaffe, D. (2003). Dating violence prevention with at-risk youth: A controlled outcome evaluation. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 71, 279-291. References