Donate

Dating Violence

Why do we address Dating Violence?

In 2023, 13% of high school students in Green County reported that they had experienced sexual or dating violence. Between 6%-11% of Green County middle school youth reported being forced to do something sexual.

There is a relationship between dating violence and substance abuse. This link is particularly concerning among teenagers where both issues are prevalent and can have long lasting negative consequences.

Dating violence can have a profound negative impact on the mental health of adolescents and young adults.  The emotional, psychological and sometimes physical trauma experiences in abusive relationships can lead to a range of serve mental health issues.

Dating violence, mental health and substance abuse are often interconnected where each factor can influence and exacerbate the others.

What constitutes a healthy, unhealthy, or abusive relationship?

Healthy

A healthy relationship means both you and your partner are:

  • Communicating
  • ⁠Respectful
  • ⁠Trusting
  • Honest
  • Equal
  • Enjoying personal time away from each other
  • Making mutual choices
  • Economic/financial partners

Unhealthy

You may be in an unhealthy relationship if your partner is:

  • Not communicating
  • Disrespectful
  • ⁠Not trusting
  • Dishonest
  • Trying to take control
  • Only spending time together
  • Pressured into activities
  • Unequal economically

Abusive

Abuse is occurring in a relationship when one partner is:

  • Communicating in a hurtful or threatening way
  • ⁠Mistreating
  • Accusing the other of cheating when it’s untrue
  • Denying their actions are abusive
  • Controlling
  • ⁠Isolating their partner from others
Green County Prevention Partnership logo

Our Strategies

The Dating Matters® curriculum is designed to break the cycle of dating violence, mental health issues, and substance abuse by addressing the root causes and contributing factors in a comprehensive and proactive manner.  It focuses on equipping youth with the skills and knowledge to build healthy relationships before they enter the cycle.

Dating Matters® Strategies promote healthy teen relationships using a comprehensive, evidence-based teen dating violence prevention model developed by the CDC.

It was designed to prevent teen dating violence by teaching middle school youth healthy relationship skills before they begin dating, thereby reducing behaviors that increase the risk for dating violence, substance abuse, and sexual risk-taking.  The goal of the program is to promote respectful, nonviolent relationships and decrease emotional and physical violence among youth.

Green County Prevention Partnership Dating Matters Facilitators meet with 7th grade students once a week for 7 weeks.  Each week provides information on relationship safety and rights, understanding what constitutes an abusive relationship, building communication skills, and supportive resources.

  • Provide Information:

    Billboard, Radio ads, Press releases, Social Media posts, Flyers, Information Booth at festivals, Community Supper, Podcast, Animated Video on the Dangers of Alcohol Consumption by Youth

  • Enhancing Skills:

    Reality Maze for 8th grade, Safe Driving event, Hidden in Plain Sight interactive presentation for parents, Health Rocks for 6th grade

  • Provide Support:

    Substance Free Youth Activities such as Post Prom, Movie Nights, Pop Up Youth Clubs

  • Enhance Access, Reduce Barriers, and Improve Connections:

    Wellness Fair, Virtual Options for Coalition Meetings and Childcare at Meetings, Translate Materials into Spanish

  • Change Consequences:

    Work with Law Enforcement to Implement Alcohol Age Compliance Checks, Recognition for Retailers that Pass the Compliance Check

  • Change Physical Design:

    Bottle lock displays at Retailers, Bollard Covers at Gas Stations

  • Educate and Inform About Modifying/Changing Policies:

    Establish Social and Emotional Skills Program for 6-8th Grade, Presentation to Public Safety Committee on Sugar River Environmental Scan findings

Resources

Preventive Programs

Green County Prevention Partnership offers a variety of preventative programs and trainings covering a number of youth-related issues and intended for various audiences and demographics. Visit any of the programs listed below to learn more about its content and how to request a training for your students, group, or organization.

B.A.C.K.

  • Intended audience(s): Middle School Students
Learn More