1. Dating Violence or Relationship Violence Fort Bend Independent School District December 11, 2007

2. Teen Dating Violence Facts Crosses race, gender, and socioeconomic lines. Crosses race, gender, and socioeconomic lines. Females ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence than any other age group---at a rate triple the national average. Females ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence than any other age group---at a rate triple the national average. 1 in 5 female high school students is being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. 1 in 5 female high school students is being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. 22% of all homicides against females ages 16-19 were committed by an intimate partner. 22% of all homicides against females ages 16-19 were committed by an intimate partner. Half of reported date rapes occur among teenagers. Half of reported date rapes occur among teenagers.

3. What it is a pattern of coercive, manipulative behavior that one partner exerts over the other for the purpose of establishing and maintaining power and control. a pattern of coercive, manipulative behavior that one partner exerts over the other for the purpose of establishing and maintaining power and control. may take various forms: emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, limiting independence, isolation, threats, intimidation, harassment, minimization, denial and blame. may take various forms: emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, limiting independence, isolation, threats, intimidation, harassment, minimization, denial and blame. As in adult domestic violence, the vast majority of teen dating violence involves the abuse of girls by male partners. However, there are also adolescents who abuse gay, lesbian or transgender partners and girls who abuse male partners. As in adult domestic violence, the vast majority of teen dating violence involves the abuse of girls by male partners. However, there are also adolescents who abuse gay, lesbian or transgender partners and girls who abuse male partners. Closely related to sexual harassment and bullying Closely related to sexual harassment and bullying

4. Why we care…. School districts are required by new Texas law to adopt and implement a dating violence policy to be included in the district improvement plan. School districts are required by new Texas law to adopt and implement a dating violence policy to be included in the district improvement plan. The FBISD dating violence policy is incorporated into the existing policy prohibiting harassment, FFH(Local). The FBISD dating violence policy is incorporated into the existing policy prohibiting harassment, FFH(Local).

5. The Policy Must : Include a definition of dating violence Include a definition of dating violence Address safety planning Address safety planning Address enforcement of protective orders Address enforcement of protective orders Address school-based alternatives to protective orders Address school-based alternatives to protective orders Provide for training for teachers and administrators Provide for training for teachers and administrators Provide counseling for affected students; and Provide counseling for affected students; and Provide for awareness education for students and parents. Provide for awareness education for students and parents.

6. Alternatives to Protective Orders Offending student may be physically separated from the target; Offending student may be physically separated from the target; Principal may, after conference with the offending student and his or her parent, implement a stay-away agreement. Principal may, after conference with the offending student and his or her parent, implement a stay-away agreement. In serious cases, the offending student may be transferred to another school (if not in a disciplinary placement). In serious cases, the offending student may be transferred to another school (if not in a disciplinary placement).

7. Resources for Administrators Administrators may wish to use the Student- on-student Altercation Response Chart to guide you through the steps. Administrators may wish to use the Student- on-student Altercation Response Chart to guide you through the steps. The new regulation at FFH provides guidance into how to proceed when investigating allegations of dating violence, sexual harassment, bullying, etc. The new regulation at FFH provides guidance into how to proceed when investigating allegations of dating violence, sexual harassment, bullying, etc. Remember to monitor student-on-student situations. Remember to monitor student-on-student situations.

8. Warning Signs: for School Personnel One dating partner is having attendance problems One dating partner is having attendance problems Downward change in grades Downward change in grades Change in weight Change in weight No longer hanging out with old group of friends No longer hanging out with old group of friends More passive and quiet than usual More passive and quiet than usual Sad, withdrawn, isolated from group Sad, withdrawn, isolated from group Signs of control: physical, social Signs of control: physical, social Change in style of dress Change in style of dress Bruising Bruising

9. Prevention Recommendations: Handout contains recommendations for: – Teens – Parents – School Personnel – Counselors – Others

10. Counseling for Students Affected by Dating Violence Will train secondary counselors Will train secondary counselors Inform students about counseling office being a safe place to discuss this issue Inform students about counseling office being a safe place to discuss this issue Utilize Life Saver program Utilize Life Saver program Counselors to provide initial support, plus referral to outside providers Counselors to provide initial support, plus referral to outside providers

11. Awareness Education We already have the Creating Healthy Relationships programpartnership with the Fort Bend County Womens Center We already have the Creating Healthy Relationships programpartnership with the Fort Bend County Womens Center Allow the Womens Center to set up a table during lunch at high schools Allow the Womens Center to set up a table during lunch at high schools Use advisory period to deliver awareness lessons found in resources on next slide Use advisory period to deliver awareness lessons found in resources on next slide For parents: For parents: – Handouts at Open House? – Community Newsletter – Websites – What other ideas do you have?

12. Resources: American Bar Association Teen Dating Violence Week Toolkit: http://www.abanet.org/unmet/toolkitmaterials.html American Bar Association Teen Dating Violence Week Toolkit: http://www.abanet.org/unmet/toolkitmaterials.html http://www.abanet.org/unmet/toolkitmaterials.html Downloadable toolkit with prevention guide; handouts for parents, teachers, teens, and counselors; lesson plans, posters, and a DVD to use with students (pay shipping only for DVD). Love is Not Abuse Website: http://www.loveisnotabuse.com Downloadable complete curriculum, handbooks for teens and parents, handouts, separate brochures for boys and girls, prevalence statistics, etc. Love is Not Abuse Website: http://www.loveisnotabuse.com Downloadable complete curriculum, handbooks for teens and parents, handouts, separate brochures for boys and girls, prevalence statistics, etc. http://www.loveisnotabuse.com National Center for Victims of CrimeDating Violence Resource Center: http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_ DatingViolenceResourceCenter101 National Center for Victims of CrimeDating Violence Resource Center: http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_ DatingViolenceResourceCenter101 http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_ DatingViolenceResourceCenter101 http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_ DatingViolenceResourceCenter101 Downloadable tip sheets and resources for teens and parents

13. Referrals: Mental Health America of Fort Bend County 281-207-2480 http://www.mhafbc.org Mental Health America of Fort Bend County 281-207-2480 http://www.mhafbc.org http://www.mhafbc.org Fort Bend County Womens Center Fort Bend County Womens Center 24 hour information and crisis line 24 hour information and crisis line 281-342-4357 http://www.fortbendwomenscenter.org 281-342-4357 http://www.fortbendwomenscenter.org http://www.fortbendwomenscenter.org National Domestic Violence Hotline: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 1-800-799-7233