Recent studies on Teen Relationship Violence show an increase in violence within teen relationships - up to a 40% increase from 1999 to 2007. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines Teen Relationship Violence as the physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional violence within a dating relationship, as well as stalking. Interestingly, while these statistics are high, most of the teens reported that they do not need help and very few followed up with the resources that were offered. This represents the “normalization” among teens around these abusive behaviors and provides evidence that the issue may be more common in teen relationships than professionals realize.
The Teen Outreach Program invites Family Justice Centers to create and implement teen outreach, prevention, and intervention services through the Family Justice Center. One in five women and nearly one in seven men who ever experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age. Education for teens in abusive relationships can help reduce or prevent violence in their adult lives.
To learn more about creating a Teen Outreach Program in your community, click here to access the Creating a Teen Outreach Program at Your Family Justice Center Toolkit. This toolkit specifically focuses on developing, implementing, and maintaining a program at the Family Justice Center. The toolkit offers a step-by-step guide on how to get started. The toolkit also includes information on existing Teen Outreach Programs at Family Justice Centers nationwide. Sample curriculum, forms, and other materials are also included in the toolkit. Additional information related to this topic can also be accessed in the online Resource Library under "Teen Relationship Violence."
The Healthy Relationship Forum, produced by the Alliance, educates teens on healthy vs. unhealthy relationship behaviors. The dynamic presentation engages teens by including videos, music, and interactive activities. The presentation can be used with a group of teens in your community. Alternatively, the presentation can be used as a model and can be modified to fit your community's needs. To view the Healthy Relationship Forum, click here.
Recommended Teen Programs
Center for Disease Control - Choose Respect
The Center for Healthy Relationships - Start Strong Idaho
Safe Place of Austin - Expect Respect
Transforming Communities in collaboration with Peace Over Violence
Centers that implement a Teen Outreach Program will find that teens' response to this issue is significant. The San Diego Family Justice Center piloted a Teen Outreach Program and the reaction from teens on relationship violence was positive and inspiring. The following findings are the result of surveys conducted by the San Diego Family Justice Center after Healthy Relationship Forum trainings.
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Ability to Share Information with Friends and Family about Unhealthy and Healthy Relationship Signs Participants were asked if they would be able to share information about relationship violence to friends or family members. Before the presentation, approximately 30% of the teens agreed with the latter statement. After the presentation, approximately 70% agreed. |
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Interest in Volunteering at a Family Justice Center and/or other Relationship Violence Intervention Agency Participants were asked if they would be interested in volunteering for the local Family Justice Center and/or other anti-relationship violence organization. Before the presentation, approximately 40% agreed with the latter statement. After the presentation, approximately 70% agreed. |
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Ability to Provide Information about the Family Justice Center and/or other Relationship Violence Intervention Agency Participants were asked if they would be able to provide information about the Family Justice Center and/or other anti-relationship violence organization to a friend or family member in an unhealthy relationship. Before the presentation, approximately 40% agreed with the latter statement. After the presentation, roughly 70% agreed. |
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