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ABSTRACT
Objectives. This study assessed the effects of the Safe Dates program on the primary and secondary prevention of adolescent dating violence.
Methods. Fourteen schools were randomly allocated to treatment conditions. Eighty percent (n = 1886) of the eighth and ninth graders in a rural county completed baseline questionnaires, and 1700 (90%) completed follow-up questionnaires.
Results. Treatment and control groups were comparable at baseline. In the full sample at follow-up, less psychological abuse, sexual violence, and violence perpetrated against the current dating partner were reported in treatment than in control schools. In a subsample of adolescents reporting no dating violence at baseline (a primary prevention subsample), there was less initiation of psychological abuse in treatment than in control schools. In a subsample of adolescents reporting dating violence at baseline (a secondary prevention subsample), there was less psychological abuse and sexual violence perpetration reported at follow-up in treatment than in control schools. Most program effects were explained by changes in dating violence norms, gender stereotyping, and awareness of services.
Conclusions. The Safe Dates program shows promise for preventing dating violence among adolescents. (Am J Public Health. 1998;88:45-50)
Introduction
Partner violence burdens the health care system and the physical and mental health of individuals and family members, and it is considered a major public health problem in the United States.' Although partner violence often begins during adolescence,2 no prior study has evaluated the effectiveness of a partner violence prevention program for adolescents.
In this paper, we first assess the effects of the Safe Dates program on the primary and secondary prevention of dating violence. Primary prevention is achieved when the first perpetration of dating violence is precluded. Secondary prevention occurs when victims stop being victimized or perpetrators stop being violent. Second, we assess the effects of the program on theoretically based mediating variables. Finally, we determine whether the Safe Dates program prevents dating violence through the mediating variables.
Safe Dates consists of school and community activities. School activities promote primary prevention, while school and community activities promote secondary prevention. School activities include (1) a theater production performed by peers, (2) a 10-session curriculum, and (3) a poster contest. Community activities include special services for adolescents in abusive relationships (i.e., a crisis line, support groups, materials...