Dating Violence and Abuse SRCSB Policy 5.325 Do you know the indicators of this type of abuse?

Teen Dating Violence Statistics Girls and women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence. 1 in 5 high school girls is physically or sexually hurt by a dating partner. 1 in 3 teens experience some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships. Only 33% of teens who have been in or known about an abusive dating relationship report having told anyone about it.

Statistics from the U.S. Dept. of Justice 25% of victims say they have been isolated from family and friends. More than half of victims say they have compromised their own beliefs to please a partner. Many teens think this is normal. Teens report dating abuse via cell phones is a serious problem. Cell phone calls and texting mean constant control: I in 3 teens say they are test messaged 10, 20, 30 times an hour by a partner keeping tabs on them. 82% of parents whose teens were emailed or text messaged 30 times an hour were not aware of this.

Violence Teen dating violence is a pattern of emotional, verbal, sexual, or physical abuse used by one person in a current or past intimate relationship to exert power and control over another when one or both of the partners is a teenager.

Abuse Abuse is mistreatment which may include insults, coercion, social sabotage, sexual harassment, threats and/or acts of physical or sexual abuse. The abusive partner uses this pattern of violence and coercive behavior to gain power and maintain control over the dating partner.

Reporting Teen Dating Violence or Abuse The principal or designee shall be responsible for receiving complaints alleging violations of this policy. All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal or designee. The principal shall establish and prominently publicize to students, staff, volunteers, and parents how a report of this nature may be filed either in person or anonymously and how this report will be acted upon. (Poster example)

Investigations The principal or designee shall select a staff member at the school and trained in investigative procedures to initiate the investigation. Document separate interviews with all involved. The investigative process shall be completed within 10 school days from the time the report is filed.

Discipline Immediate action shall be taken to eliminate the behavior. Maintain consistency with the Code of Student Conduct. If a crime has been committed, the appropriate law enforcement agency shall be immediately notified.

Support Services for the Victim Establish a contract with the offender to stay away from the victim while on schools grounds, on school transportation and during school sponsored programs and events. Make reasonable accommodations, such as class schedule changes. Security protection, such as safe egress/regress from school and within school. Referrals for outside support and/or counseling

Curriculum The health education curriculum for students in grades 7 through 12 shall include dating violence and abuse. The curriculum shall have an emphasis on prevention based education.

Training Teachers, administrators, counselors, instructional assistants, school nurses and other nonteaching staff such as bus drivers, custodians, and cafeteria workers shall receive annual training about teen dating violence and abuse. Lindsay Ann Burke Memorial Fund “Supporting the prevention of relationship violence” Part 1 1 hour 6minutes

Training continued Students, parents and school volunteers shall be given instruction related to teen dating violence and abuse. Part 2 Over view of teaching teen dating violence within a comprehensive health education curriculum.