Our work and study in the area of domestic violence teaches that dating violence and domestic violence are indistinguishable and that consequences are severe and very often long lasting.
We want to help change the way things are. It is imperative that children learn the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy relationships. The Dating Matters curriculum can help us do so. Dating Matters is evidence based. Dating Matters is effective in changing behavior and thereby helps reduce and prevent teen dating violence.
ACDVO began piloting the Dating Matters Curriculum with one school in October 2020. Three additional schools have joined our pilot this year and we hope to add six additional schools in the 2022-2023 academic year. Our goal is to establish Dating Matters as an integral element of the academic curriculum in private and public schools in Illinois.
Dating Matters Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships is a comprehensive teen dating violence prevention model developed by the CDC to stop teen dating violence before it starts. Dating Matters is an evidence-based teen dating violence prevention model. It focuses on teaching 11-14-year-olds healthy relationship skills before they start dating and reducing behaviors that increase the risk for dating violence, like substance abuse and sexual risk-taking. (Link)
Teen Dating Violence in the First Person
Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention Training for Educators is a free, online course developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and available to educators, school personnel, youth mentors, and others dedicated to improving teen health. Follow a school administrator throughout his day as he highlights what teen dating violence is and how to prevent it through graphic novel scenarios, interactive exercises, and information gathered from leading experts. (Link)
Awareness
Mr. Lundy Bancroft, Abusers, Victims and Children
Fr. Chuck Dahm, Homily at Holy Name
Pope Francis Speaks on Domestic Violence
Bishop Michael Burbidge Homily on Domestic Violence
Bishop Mark Brennan Homily on Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence in Faith Communities
Fr. Chuck Dahm - Homily on Domestic Violence
Homily on Domestic Violence by Father Chuck Dahm – English (PDF) Spanish (PDF) Polish (PDF)
Fr. Chuck Dahm – The Catholic Response to Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Traps
“I didn’t know it was abuse.” “I thought I could fix it.” “I didn’t tell anyone.”
Domestic Violence in the First Person
Maria's Story cuenta la vida de una mujer valiente que nos inspira.
Recognizing Abuse
Unmasking the Abuser Dina McMillan - Ted Talk
Services
For help call the National Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 800.799.7233 or 800.787.3224 TTY. Visit www.ndvh.org for more information. Please call if you are a victim, a relative, friend, parish staff or a domestic violence ministry member seeking information.
Hotlines
National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) (Link)
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), 1.800.656.HOPE (4673) (Link)
Love is Respect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1.866.331.9474, 1.866.331.8453 TTY You can also chat live online with a trained Peer Advocate from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. (CST) daily (Link)