School Youth Project

Teen dating violence is a huge problem in the United States. While dating, domestic and sexual violence affect women regardless of their age, teens are especially vulnerable.

According to the US Dept of Fustice Bureau of Statistics, young people age 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault, and teens age 18 and 19 experience the highest rates of stalking.

1 in 5 tweens who have been in a relationship report knowing a friend who had been struck in anger by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

During the last school year over 450 elementary and high school students participated in healthy relationship skill building groups offered at area schools in Stearns and Benton counties. 85% of participants indicated improvement in 3 or more areas (self-esteem, expressing feelings, self respect, respect for others, listening skills, problem solving skills. 84% of those stating they had used violence indicated their use of violence decreased.

A female teacher with Kimball schools who actively recruits students for the Life Choices groups told our school youth advocate that these groups play a major role in some of the student’s lives. She said that if it were not for group that many of her students would not even come to school.