On Dec. 29, 2009, Governor Ted Strickland signed into law “The Tina Croucher Act,” mandating dating violence prevention curriculum in Ohio schools starting this school year.
Students, through their health classes, are now required to receive age-appropriate instruction in dating violence prevention such as recognizing dating violence warning signs and characteristics of healthy relationships. In order to assist the districts, the Ohio Department of Education will provide links on its website to free curriculum addressing dating violence prevention. Any parents or legal guardians who wish to examine the dating violence curriculum may submit a written request to the principal of the school.
Many districts already have this curriculum in place.
Laurie Boedicker, director of curriculum for Highland Local Schools said, “We don’t plan any changes to the curriculum as the current curriculum already included awareness and signs of dating violence. It is important to make students aware of the rights and responsibilities in regards to their health and well being. It is important for students and staff to be able to recognize the signs of dating violence and know how to get help.”
Brunswick City Schools Assistant Superintendent Joelle Magyar said since the (Tina Croucher Act) must be integrated into school curriculum, it has become part of the district’s ninth-grade health classes.
“Students do several projects on dating violence and we bring in representatives from Operation Keepsake for two weeks where they cover drugs, violence and dating violence,” Magyar said. “That has always been a part of our ninth-grade health program, but for this first time this year, Operation Keepsake is coming in for a two-day assembly in February and will be working with our Junior class.”
The mission of the Twinsburg-based Operation Keepsake program is to challenge young people to develop healthy relationships and strong character to “develop to their fullest potential in life,” according to its website. Magyar said the new assembly program will include discussions and projects focused on dating violence victims, perpetrators and friends, and how to have an “exit strategy” if a dating violence situation occurs.
“I would relate the dating violence program with that of bullying,” Magyar said. “These things have probably always gone on in schools, but now there are titles for them. I think that is good because now we can develop curriculum addressing the problem and provide support if they find themselves in these situations.”
The Medina City School District has also included dating violence in its anti-bullying campaign.
Julie McCabe, associate principal at the high school designed the “Bullying: Not in Our School” campaign this year.
One focal point of the bullying education involves teenage dating violence. McCabe explains that the teenage years are crucial to dating education because it is when it starts. Students need to be educated about proper relationship behaviors. If someone is in a mentally or physically abusive relationship, they may be unsure if it is right or wrong, especially if it’s their first relationship.
McCabe says the Medina Police Department has been a great partner in educating teens about bullying and what to do if someone sees it or is a part of it.
“They are really supportive and a great resource for us to have,” McCabe said.
The school is aiming to target different areas of bullying, starting off with a seminar at the beginning of the school year.
McCabe explains she thinks the best time to target teenage dating violence is in the Spring because it is around Prom season, where many teenagers go with dates.
Staff members have been trained through Public Works on how to handle teenage dating violence and other bullying.
“So that we’re all giving these kids the same message,” McCabe said. “If we can protect the kids here, then we are doing our jobs.”