Dating violence and sexual violence have become increasingly prevalent problems for Indiana teens.
According to the Indiana Youth Institute, 1 in 10 students have experienced physical violence with someone they’ve been dating. In the past year, 1 in 8 students have reported incidents of sexual dating violence.
Despite the troubling trend, the issue of teen dating violence is still one that is rarely addressed.
"As students, we’re so focused on school and getting good grades, there are things you don’t think about every day, like sexual assault. Learning about it has brought a lot of it not only to my attention, but to my classmates’ (attention)," said Amy Clark, a senior at Whiteland Community High School. "For my friends, it’s opened our eyes."
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Whiteland students such as Clark spent a week working with experts in domestic violence to learn about warning signs of teen dating violence in their own relationships, as well as those of their friends and classmates. They practiced strategies about how to get help, how to be empathetic and kind, and what a healthy relationship should look like.
The education was eye-opening, the students said, and now they are prepared to use it to make their school community a better place.
"If more people heard this, they might realize more about themselves. They might not realize they’re treating people badly, and it might make them treat people better in relationships," said Kennedy Garrett, a junior at Whiteland who went through the program.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana ranks third highest in the nation for percentage of high school students who reported sexual dating violence. Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner every year.
The problem is so prevalent that the Domestic Violence Network felt compelled to address it. The organization, which works to change the culture that leads to domestic violence through advocacy, education and collaboration in the community, helped create a program called The Change Project aimed at high school students.
Through the program, health officials provide healthy relationship education to schools and youth programs throughout central Indiana.
"We’re talking about topics that they want to talk about. Every young person, whether they’re in a relationship or not, are curious about relationships," said Lindsay Hill Stawick, associate director for the Domestic Violence Network.
Last year, the Domestic Violence Network educated more than 1,600 students at 13 area high schools, including Whiteland.
"This is one of those things that I don’t think is really touched upon in a lot of different classes, but it’s so necessary. It’s a really good learning experience for students, and they get a lot out of it," said Elizabeth Moffett, a teacher at Whiteland.
Moffett was instrumental in bringing the program to the school. She is the director of Whiteland’s Jobs for America’s Graduates, or JAG, which is aimed at juniors and seniors to teach resume building, career exploration and other life skills.
When officials for The Change Project reached out to her three years ago about coming to the Whiteland JAG students, she felt it was a good fit.
"In JAG, I have the opportunity to build some social-emotional learning pieces into the curriculum. Healthy relationships and teen dating violence really fit into that," Moffett said. "It’s really important to arm teenagers, especially, with the tools and different ways to really help themselves in their relationships, and possibly help their friends."
Over the course of four days, facilitators from The Change Project came to Whiteland to meet with about 35 students for a few hours each day. Every student received a packet of educational resources highlighting the signs of unhealthy relationships, what to do if you think you’re in an unhealthy relationship and where to go for help.
The curriculum focused on issues such as healthy versus unhealthy relationships, consent, how to be empathetic, kind, and compassionate community members, breaking up safely and how to create and maintain healthy boundaries with friends and dating partner.
"We know that young people are dating or going to date. Teachers need to focus on the math, the English, things like that. We’re able to come in and bring in some of these soft skills — emotional learning things," Stawick said.
Parts of the program taught students about emotional intelligence, or the capacity to be aware of and express emotions. They also learned about understanding identity, developing skills to advocate for others.
"The neat thing about the program is it talks about values, what you value in friendships and in relationships. Students can learn about themselves and their peers," Moffett said.
Those in charge of the program presented the information in an interactive way, getting the students involved in the discussion and taking part in activities rather than sitting through lectures.
For example, one activity presented students with a real-life scenario depicting an unhealthy relationship. The students then had to make a series of choices, and each choice led to a different consequence.
"The activities they did were super engaging and got everyone out of their seats," Clark said. "We got to put ourselves in the mindset of one of the victims."
Clark was cautious going into the program. She realized teen dating violence is a weighty subject, and delving too deeply into it could impact her own emotional health.
At the same time, she wanted to learn more.
"I was really surprised about the statistics. (Teen dating violence) is pretty high here, and it’s scary how often it happens," she said.
The students weren’t the only ones to take something away from the program.
"It’s been good for me as an educator to see the impact it’s had. Students become very open with each other and with the facilitators that come in. They ask the tougher questions that maybe they didn’t feel comfortable talking about previously," Moffett said. "The eye-opening piece for me is that, if you bring this subject up, kids will talk about it."
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Need help?” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Teen dating violence has become an increasing problem in Indiana.
If you need help, the following resources are available 24 hours a day to provide guidance and support:
Connect2Help: 2-1-1 or 317-926-4357
Love in Respect: 866-331-9474; text "loveis" to 22522; live chat at loveisrespect.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
The following organizations can also provide advocacy and support:
ASSIST Indiana: 198 E. Jefferson Street, Franklin; 317-739-4456; assistindiana.org
Indiana Youth Group: 317-541-8726; indianayouthgroup.org
Julian Center: 317-920-9320; juliancenter.org
Domestic Violence Network: dvnconnect.org
[sc:pullout-text-end]
