According to the US Department of Justice 1 in 3 teens has experienced violence in a dating relationship and 40% of girls aged 14-17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or abused by a partner. With the growing prevalence of teen dating violence we cannot turn a blind eye.

Planned Parenthood of Central Washington (PPCW) has developed a ten session program entitled “Teen Dating Violence- Love Doesn’t Have to Hurt” in response to the Tri-Cities community assessment study released by the United Way in 2004. According to the United Way, the issue of domestic violence has become one of the predominant crises in our communities, and is increasing rapidly.  Due to constant budget cuts local agencies and organizations are having difficulty providing services to the sheer number of cases being reported.

Since we began offering "Love Doesn't Have to Hurt," the program has gained national recognition, and is a model fo similar progrms throughout the United States. 

The Community Health Educators at PPCW are experts in the field of sexual health and safety.  Our research indicates that multi-session programs have the greatest impact on behavior change (Kirby, Advocates for Youth).  This program is designed to promote the highest rate of self efficacy from the participants that attend. 

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM OUTLINE:

LESSON 1: HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
LESSON 2: BODY IMAGE AND SELF-ESTEEM
LESSON 3: TEEN DATING VIOLENCE 101
LESSON 4: TEEN DATING VIOLENCE 102
LESSON 5: DATE RAPE
LESSON 6: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
LESSON 7: REFUSAL SKILLS
LESSON 8: GENDER ROLES
LESSON 9: POWER AND CONTROL
LESSON 10: HOW TO HELP A FRIEND

For information on brinigh this nationally-recognized program to your community, please contact your loal PPCW Community Health Educator at 1-866-904-7721, and enter their extension:

Benton/Franklin Counties: Timara Shindehite x8017

Kittitas County: Jen Estroff x8207

Yakima County: Mike Palencia 509.853.2520

If your area isn't listed, contact our Director of Education and Training, Amy Claussen at extension 8113.