The Safe Dates curriculum

Reproducible student handouts are included at the end of each session. If you do not have time to complete all nine sessions, the curriculum has suggestions for a six-session or four-session program. It is important to realize, however, that the fidelity of the product and accompanying outcomes are best maintained by completing all nine sessions.

We have developed a Fidelity Checklist showing what must be done to ensure fidelity.

Session 1: Defining Caring Relationships
Through a bingo game and class discussions, students are introduced to the Safe Dates program and they evaluate how they would like to be treated in dating relationships.

Session 2: Defining Dating Abuse
Through the discussion of scenarios and the review of statistics, students clearly define dating abuse.

Session 3: Why Do People Abuse?
Through large and small group discussions and the review of scenarios, students identify the causes and consequences of dating abuse.

Session 4: How to Help Friends
Through a decision-making exercise, a dramatic reading, and the introduction of the "Friend's Wheel," students learn why it is difficult to leave abusive relationships and how to help a friend if she or he is in an abusive relationship.

Session 5: Helping Friends
Through stories and role-playing, students practice effective skills for helping friends who are victims of abuse or confronting friends who are perpetrators of abuse.

Session 6: Overcoming Gender Stereotypes
Through a writing exercise, small-group discussions, and scenarios, students learn about gender stereotypes and how these stereotypes can affect dating relationships.

Session 7: Equal Power through Communication
Students learn the eight skills for effective communication and practice these skills in a variety of role-plays.

Session 8: How We Feel, How We Deal
Through the use of a feelings diary and a discussion of "hot buttons," students learn effective ways to recognize and handle their anger, so it doesn't lead to abusive behavior.

Session 9: Preventing Sexual Assault
Through taking a quiz and holding a caucus and a panel of their peers, students learn about the issue of sexual assault and how to prevent it from happening.

Dating Abuse Play
As part of the Safe Dates program, a forty-five-minute play about dating abuse and violence, which was written by high school drama students should be presented. Before presenting the play, consider sharing local statistics on the prevalence of teen dating abuse. Following the performance, have the actors lead discussions (preferably in small groups), with the audience about the issues presented in the play.

Consider presenting this play as a schoolwide assembly, as part of your school's drama program, or at other school or community events. You do not need professional actors. Enlist the help of your school's drama department or put on the play with your own students.

Poster Contest
Hosting a poster contest is a great way to reinforce the concepts learned in the curriculum. Posters on the theme of dating abuse prevention can be displayed in school hallways or other community buildings such as libraries, city hall or community centers, and shopping malls. Students could also use their posters when giving presentations to various school or community groups.

Parent Materials
As in every strong prevention effort, it is important to get your students' parents or guardians involved in your Safe Dates program. Included with the curriculum is a parent education brochure that you can send to parents or keep on hand, in case you need to talk to a parent about this issue. There is also a parent letter that informs parents of the Safe Dates program. Consider mailing the letter and brochure together.

Teacher Training Outline
You may want to multiply your efforts by training others to use the Safe Dates curriculum. An outline for a three-hour training is provided in the curriculum. Consider hosting a training session for area schools or other local community youth organizations.