Increase students' understanding of teenage dating violence/abuse

• A definition of dating violence/abuse.
• The prevalence of the problem (statistical information).
• The fact that abuse occurs in demographic groups throughout the world, regardless of culture, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic class. Teens who are disabled, undocumented, non-English-speaking, and/or gay or lesbian may experience higher rates of dating abuse than others.
• The many forms abuse takes, including emotional, physical, psychological, financial, sexual.
• The roles of the participants: victims; perpetrators; bystanders and other third parties, such as family members, friends, teachers and school administrators, counselors and social workers.
• Some common traits about dating violence/abuse, including the perpetrator's need to exert power and control over his or her partner.
• The repetitive nature of the cycle of relationship violence and abuse, which, if not addressed, can continue into adulthood and affect future generations.
• Warning signs often associated with perpetrators of dating abuse: controlling behavior, extreme jealousy, preventing one's partner from being with friends and family, providing gifts after violent or abusive behavior, abnormal mood swings (possibly as a result of alcohol or drug use), hypersensitivity, a history of abusive behavior in past relationships, abuse of family pets or other animals.
• Obstacles that teens face in seeking help (e.g., fear, threats of retaliation by the abuser, isolation, inaccessible/lack of helping resources targeted to teens, financial dependence, guilt, fear of family's response).
• Preventing blaming the victim of dating violence.
• Warning signs that could indicate that a teen is being victimized by his or her partner, such as unexplained or recurring marks and bruises, difficulty making decisions, poor concentration, depression, sudden problems in school, change in behavior, affect or dress, becoming isolated from family or friends (including dropping friends and activities once enjoyed).