Schools adopt anti-violence program

Teen dating violence occurs in nearly 25 percent of teens each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many teens report verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse from a dating partner. Because of this, schools are creating or adopting programs that raise awareness of the behavior.

Officials from Sandusky, Ohio schools recently announced that they are adopting the state School Board Association's model policy regarding teen dating violence, The Sandusky Register reports.

The policy implements a program in eighth grade and continues to offer class topics concerning teen dating violence in high school. The CDC reports that 72 percent of eighth and ninth graders reportedly date.

A recent district-wide survey found that 29 percent Margaretta High School students reported being physically abused, while 15 percent said they were sexually abused in the course of their relationships.

Schools find it difficult to help students who are victims of violence because they often do not report the problem. Officials added that students may be more receptive to hearing an anti-violence message from peers than from adults.

Group therapy may be beneficial to victims of violence by showing that other individuals suffer from the same situation. This service is often found in therapeutic boarding schools and programs for troubled teens.