Domestic Violence Task Force and Victims’ Rights Task Force Prevention Subcommittee
The Prevention Subcommittee is made up of dedicated people who believe that in order for our children to grow up and become healthy and happy adults we need to start teaching them as young people how to have safe and respectful relationships.
Our Mission
The members of the Prevention Subcommittee strive to be ambassadors for intimate partner violence prevention by proactively engaging on individual, community and policy levels.
Our Vision
Safe and Respectful Relationships for All.
How we got to this point!
Increasing Awareness of Teen Dating Violence within Delaware
1999 - Project P.R.I.D.E. (Promoting Respect In Dating Experiences) is established, operating as the first and only dating violence intervention program in Delaware.
2000 - The Delaware Safe Dating Theater Project begins, which features the “Maddie & Paul” interactive theater presentation at Delaware Schools. Schools throughout the state continue to be on the waiting list for this program.
2000 - The R.A.I.D.(Respectful Actions in Dating) Teen Action and Advisory Council is formed at Child, Inc, with participation from approximately 45 young people.
2002 - The CDC-funded DELTA program awards funds to the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV). Two committees from two task forces are formed which will later grown into one Prevention Subcommittee.
2003 - The DELTA initiatives bring the first “Healthy Relationships” curriculum and dating violence prevention programs to Dickinson HS. Programs being in YRS facilities during January 2004.
2005 - The joint Prevention Subcommittee of the Domestic Violence Task Force and Victims’ Rights Task Force is formed.
2006 - Governor Minner declares February 2006 as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.”
2006 - Through DELTA efforts and with financial support from OPEI and SODAT, the Prevention Subcommittee is able to provide free training to seven health teachers from Red Clay middle and high schools.
2006 - The second annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month occur with a proclamation signing in Milford, DE. Attendance exceeds expectations with adults and students.
2006 – Students from Youth Rehabilitation Services unveil several Public Service Announcements created through DELTA and the Media Matters Program at Jewish Family Services as a complementary project with the Healthy Relationship Curriculum.
2006 – The DCADV is awarded a federal grant to create a new project – Messages from Teens. This project expands prevention efforts to more students and schools.
2006/2007 – Work begins on safeandrespectful.org a website on healthy relationships.
October 2007 – Launch of safeandrespectful.org!
The Problem
1 in 5 adolescent girls will be physically and/or sexually assaulted in a dating relationship (JAMA, 2001)
Young women, ages 16-24, experience the highest rates of relationship violence (Dept. of Justice, BJS, 2000)
Teens are particularly unlikely to report violence they experience from people they are dating (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2004)
About 1/3rd of those who experience sexual harassment say their first experiences were in elementary school. (American Association of University Women, 2000.)
Delaware's Approach
DELTA
In October 2002, as part of the Healthy People 2010 focus on Injury and Violence Prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) selected the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV) to participate in the new Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) Program.
DELTA In Schools DELTA Project at John Dickinson High School And the Teens Talking About Relationships Club
At the end of the 04-05 school year, when evaluating their 13 “Healthy Relationships” sessions, the following participating Delaware students responded that the classes helped them to:
92%- Prevent me from being abused or being abusive in a relationship
85%- Recognize how gender stereotypes can influence expectations in relationships
80%- Think about messages in the media more clearly
74%- Realize that being abusive is a choice
Our Commitment
To be an ongoing resource and support for teachers, administrators, students and parents who participate in the healthy relationship curriculum.
For more information on the Prevention Subcommittee email us at:
CDC: Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA)
