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Research Study Conclusions:
”Schools have an essential role in educating children about domestic abuse” (Ofstead et al, 2017). Yet, research has revealed a lack of work in schools on domestic abuse. A survey commissioned by the domestic violence charity Refuge (2008) involving 513 young women aged 18-21 revealed that just 13% had learned about domestic abuse while at school and nearly 70% responded they would’ve welcomed such lessons.
“We would argue that schools should make time and space for it, introducing this to young people before they start to form intimate relationships (e.g.11-12 years) and on a yearly basis. (Claire L Fox et al)
Children who are witnesses or victims of emotional and physical abuse are at greater risk of repeating the cycle as adults by entering into abusive relationships or becoming abusers themselves (Source: Womenshealth.gov).
Young people need more than a one-off program (e.g. 6 week program, 1/week at 45-minute sessions, presented to 10th graders) to convince them that it is worthwhile to seek help from adults should domestic abuse become a feature of their lives. (Claire L Fox et al)
National Statistics (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence):
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking
Minnesota Statistics (safehaven.com):
- At McLeod Alliance in Hutchinson, MN, 241 victims sought help within a 7-month time span (Oct ’21-May ’22).
- Relationship Abuse affects 1 in 4 Minnesota women.
- 1 in 5 MN high school girls has been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.
- Women aged 18-34 have the highest risk of victimization.
- Domestic violence is the leading cause of physical injury to women, exceeding injuries caused by muggings, stranger rape, and automobile accidents combined.
- In 2021, nearly 70,000 victims received services from MN domestic violence agencies.
- An estimated 80% of domestic assaults go unreported.
FINANCIAL EFFECTS
Financial costs Minnesota’s taxpayers incur due to medical and mental health care services for victims (missed work, adult & children counseling services, health care visits, etc) are astronomical. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, domestic abuse may have cost Minnesota employers as much as $3 billion in 2007. Direct medical services for victims of intimate partner violence in the United States costs $4.1 billion per year. (Source: safehaventshelter.org)
DONATECurriculum Option:
“One Love Foundation” is the national leader in providing web-based and in-person lessons.
“One Love’s mission is to create a world of healthier relationships and end relationship abuse through prevention education. Through the One Love Education Center, anyone can get trained to lead video-based workshops with students about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. The foundation of this education is the “10 signs framework,” emphasizing the 10 signs of a healthy relationship and 10 signs of an unhealthy relationship. There are over 14 video-based workshops, with discussion guides and classroom activities, that are all rooted in this framework so that everyone has a common language and a foundational understanding of the difference between healthy and unhealthy friendships and relationships. One Love staff are always available to support partners that are interested in bringing One Love’s education into new communities in a way that is sustainable.”