VIOLENCE IN
TEEN DATING RELATIONSHIPS
Evaluation of a Large Scale Primary Prevention Program
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Marlies Sudermann, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Peter Jaffe, Ph.D., C.Psych.
London Family Court Clinic
August, 1993
http://www.lfcc.on.ca/teendate.htm
Violence in adolescent dating relationships is a large-scale problem, and may
result in long-term trauma and psychological sequelae for victims. Also,
violence in dating relationships may be viewed as a precursor of violence in adult relationships. A recent Canadian study of high school students indicated
that fully 24% of female students had become victims of forced intercourse by
Grade 12 (Mercer, 1988). A large-scale United States survey of a college
population found that 25% of female students had been victims of rape or
attempted rape (Koss, Gidycz & Wisniewski, 1987). While there has been less
study of verbal and physical abuse in the context of teen dating relationships,
experience in previous prevention programs (Jaffe, Sudermann, Reitzel &
Killip, 1992) indicated that these are also important issues to address.
This paper reports the results of an evaluation of a primary prevention
programme for violence in dating relationships. Data on incidence of verbal, physical and sexual violence in dating relationships was collected. Attitudes,
beliefs and behavioural intentions with respect to dating violence and violence
in relationships were measured on 1,547 students before and after a large-scale
school-based primary prevention programme.
PROGRAMME
A half-day intervention designed to address prevention of violence in intimate relationships, particularly dating relationships, was conducted in two
London, Ontario, secondary schools. Planning for the programme was coordinated
by an administrator and student peer support in each school. Junior students
(Grades 9 and 10) attended an auditorium programme on dating violence followed
by classroom discussions. Senior students (Grades 11 to OAC) chose two workshops
offered by community presenters.
RESULTS
Student Experiences of Dating Violence (Post-Test)
- Approximately 4 out of 10 female students reported experiencing verbal or emotional abuse (44.8%); 1 out of 7 female students reported experiencing
physical abuse (12.4%) and 1 out of 7 reported sexual abuse (14.5%).
- Of female students who were currently dating, 21% reported experiencing
physical abuse in a dating relationship; 23% reported experiencing sexual
abuse in a dating relationship, and 57% reported experiencing verbal abuse
in a dating relationship.
- The students reporting the highest incidence of dating violence were
females in Grade 9 and 10 involved in steady dating relationships: 1 out of
2 students experienced verbal or emotional abuse (58.9%); 1 out of 3 experienced physical abuse (26.8%); and 1 out of 3 experienced sexual abuse
(31.6%).
- Overall, males reported experiencing less verbal abuse than females
experience: 24.1% of males versus 44.8% of females at post-test.
Knowledge About Violence in Intimate Relationships
- There were positive changes on all knowledge items following the
intervention.
Attitudes About Violence in Intimate Relationships
- There were significant sex differences in items measuring attitudes and
beliefs. In general, female students had more appropriate attitudes than
male students.
- After intervention, there were many significant attitude changes in the
desired direction. Positive attitude changes were highest amongst the
females in Grade 9 and 10 but changes in the desired direction were found in
all groups studied.
- On items related to violence in adult relationships, there was some
evidence of a "backlash" or reactance effect, with attitudes
moving from more to less appropriate responses.
Attitudes About Forced Intercourse
- At pre-test, 8% of boys in Grades 9 and 10 believed forced intercourse was
okay if the couple had dated a long time. At post-test, the corresponding
percentage was 7%.
- At pre-test, 18% of boys in Grades 9 and 10 believed forced intercourse
was okay if "she sexually excited him." At post-test, the
corresponding percentage was 14%.
- A pre-test, 3.5% of girls in Grades 9 and 10 believed forced intercourse
was okay of the couple had dated a long time. At post-test, the figure was
2%.
- At pre-test, 6% of girls in Grades 9 and 10 believed forced intercourse
was okay if "she sexually excited him." At post-test, the
corresponding percentage was 3%.
Role of Schools in Violence Prevention
- 88.9% of students agreed or strongly agreed that schools should play a
role in increasing awareness of the effects of violence and how to prevent
it
- Students' comments were overwhelmingly favourable with regard to both the
content and the topics of the intervention.
REFERENCES CITED
- Jaffe, P., Sudermann, M., Reitzel, D. & Killip, S.M. (1992).
- An evaluation of a secondary school primary prevention program n violence
in relationships. Violence and Victims, 7: 129-46.
- Koss, M.P., Gidycz, C.A. & Wisniewski, N. (1987).
- The scope of rape: Incidence and prevalence of sexual aggression and
victimization in a national sample of higher education students. Journal
of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55: 162-70.
- Mercer, S.L. (1987).
- Not a Pretty Picture: An Exploratory Study of Violence Against Women in
High School Dating Relationships. Toronto: Education Wife Assault.
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