New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Initiative seeks to
reduce youth dating violence
"Choose Respect" effort focuses on teaching healthy relationship skills

Atlanta (May 18, 2006) - Adolescents who report being hit, slapped, or
physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year are more
likely to report binge drinking, suicide attempts, physical fighting and
current sexual activity, said a study published today in the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
(MMWR).

The study examined data from CDC's 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
(YRBS) to study the link between physical dating violence and selected
behaviors that can place adolescents' health and well-being at risk. One in
11 high school students reported physical dating violence victimization in
the past 12 months equating to nearly 1.5 million high school students a
year, the report said.

Other key findings:

The risk of being a victim of physical dating violence for is similar for
both high school boys and girls; it does not increase with grade levels, nor
change noticeably geographically
Lower grades in school were associated with higher reported levels of
physical dating violence
Reported physical dating violence was more for African-American teens
(13.9%), followed by Hispanic teens (9.3%) compared to white teens (7.0%)
"This study illustrates the importance of teaching adolescents how to have
good relationships," said Dr. Ileana Arias, director of CDC's National
Center for Injury and Violence Prevention. "Not only do such efforts reduce
the number of immediate injuries, they can improve the overall health and
well-being of our nation's children. As this study suggests, if adolescents
have good social relationship skills, they are better equipped to avoid
behaviors that can put their health and well-being at risk."

Findings from this and other recent research has led to the development of a
new CDC initiative to help adolescents, ages 11 to 14 years old, form
healthy relationships. The initiative entitled, "Choose Respect," seeks to
prevent dating abuse before it starts. "Adolescents need encouragement,
examples, and guidance from parents, schools, and communities about how to
relate to other people," Arias said. "Many adolescents are thinking about
dating or starting to date, but often have little knowledge or experience in
forming effective relationships. Choose Respect highlights the importance of
respecting other people, and it provides information on how to effectively
handle conflicts -and it does so by encouraging positive action on the part
of youth."

The online materials include:

Games and interactive learning tools, including conversation starters such
as e-cards, clickable quizzes and activity ideas for parents and other
caring adults.
Streaming video clips for teens to make their own movies about healthy
relationships
A 30 minute video with compelling stories of real teens that have
experienced dating abuse.
Television and radio spots
These tools are designed to help adults recognize and prevent unhealthy,
violent relationships for their children. "Adolescents need trusted adults
to talk to about important issues," Arias said.

"Choose Respect encourages adults to support the positive social skills of
youth to help prevent unhealthy relationship habits." Throughout the summer
of 2006, CDC will work with community agencies in 10 cities, along with the
Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to create awareness of the
campaign's themes and resources among 11 to 14 year-olds and their parents.
The locations are Hartford, Conn., Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles,
Minneapolis, New York City, Phoenix, San Antonio, Topeka, Kan., and
Washington D.C. Each city will hold a variety of activities to ensure that
messages reach adolescents and increase awareness of the importance of
respecting friends and peers and to teach skills that help adolescents form
healthy relationships.

For more information on Choose Respect go to www.chooserespect.org

For more information about CDC's work in injury and violence prevention, go
to www.cdc.gov/injury.


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Rebecca K. Odor, MSW
Director of Sexual & Domestic Violence Prevention
Division of Injury and Violence Prevention
Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor St. #815G
Richmond VA  23219
of: 804-864-7740
fax: 804-864-7748
email: Becky.Odor@...
web: www.vahealth.org/civp/sexualviolence