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Building Healthy Relationships

In the past five years, JFCS has presented Building Healthy Relationships workshops to over 5,000 students at 9 public high schools and middle schools in Burlington and Camden counties. 

The epidemic of teen dating abuse is one of the most serious issues facing our teens today.  The statistics of teen dating violence are startling:

• 30% of teens aged 13-17 report that they know someone who has experienced dating violence.
• 33% of teenage girls report having experienced physical violence at the hands of a dating partner.
• 38% of date rape victims are between 14-17 years old.
• Young women between the ages of 16-24 experience the highest rates of relationship violence. 
• A 2001 study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that female adolescent victims of dating violence are significantly more likely to engage in other behaviors that pose serious health risks, such as substance abuse (both drugs and alcohol), smoking, and risky sexual behaviors.  Victims in high school were 4-6 times more likely than their non-abused peers to have been pregnant, and 8-9 times more likely to have attempted suicide during the previous year.

The basis of building healthy relationships is established in the teenage years.  We believe that building healthy relationships and the prevention of dating abuse is the basis for developing positive lifelong relationships.

The goals for the participants of our program include:

• Learning about the components of a healthy relationship.
• Identifying specific differences between a healthy and unhealthy relationship for teens.
• Recognizing the early warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. 
• Understanding some of the reasons why a victim may remain in an abusive relationship. 
• Understanding that verbal and emotional abuse are just as dangerous as physical abuse. 
• Learning how to help a friend who may be involved in an unhealthy relationship.

Who provides the workshops?

Workshops are conducted by licensed social workers with experience in domestic violence counseling.

Where are the workshops held?

In your school, usually in the health or physical education classes.  However, some schools have opted to bring our workshops into English or Civics classes.

What age are the students?

Because this is an educational and prevention program, we recommend teaching students before they enter into dating relationships.  Since many teens enter into relationships at increasingly early ages, we believe that middle school is the ideal time to reach students.

When can workshops be scheduled?

Workshops can be scheduled at any time during the school year.  Workshops can also be scheduled over the summer.

How can I get more information?

For more information about our Building Healthy Relationships Program, please call Rena at 856-424-1333.

What is required of the school?

In order to maintain an environment conducive to learning, we require that there be at least one teacher for each class present.  Our presenters are not there to discipline the teens.

How long is the workshop?

Building Healthy Relationships Workshops were designed to be engaging and interactive.  In order for all the teens to have a chance to participate, one class (usually about 25-30 students) is ideal.  Although we can present to larger groups, teens at this age tend to be very rowdy, especially about a “difficult” topic of conversation. 

Two class sessions (usually about 45 minutes each) allows us to both present the basic material to the students and also to give them the chance to practice their new skills.  One class session is more informative and less interactive.

We can tailor the program to fit the needs of your particular student population, as well as the time frame for your specific program.