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A 2010 Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation (RWJF) study released this spring revealed that, of 1,430
seventh-graders in eight middle schools across three cities, 75 percent had
boyfriends or girlfriends. One-third had been victims of psychological dating
violence, and nearly one-sixth had experienced physical dating violence. Almost
half experienced unwanted sexual touching or sexual slurs. In addition, recent
government data show that almost one in 10 high school students reported having
been physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Now a coalition that includes CDC,
RWJF, and federal legislators is working to prevent dating violence by reaching
out to middle-school students. Although some of these youths already have
experienced dating abuse, the collaborative aims to educate them on
relationships before the onset of serious dating.
The Boise area was one of 11
nationwide sites that each received $1 million “Start Strong” grants. To
sustain components of the program once the grants end, some health teachers
have been trained in curriculums that undergird social and emotional wellbeing.
Start Strong Idaho, sponsored by the
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, partners with health and
youth programming experts, and students who overcame abusive relationships.
“Most young people have a sense of what’s abusive, but they don’t know what a
healthy relationship means,” said Kelly Miller, a former domestic violence
prosecutor who runs SSI.
Miller uses creativity and pop
culture to engage youth on intimate topics. For example, her staff developed
surveys rating the relationships of characters from “The Hunger Games” books
and movie.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
