Additional Federal Resources for Teen Dating Violence
Dating Matters
To help states and communities work to stop teen dating violence, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed Dating Matters™, a comprehensive teen dating violence prevention initiative based on the current evidence about what works in prevention. Dating Matters™ focuses on 11- to 14-year-olds in high-risk, urban communities. It includes preventive strategies for individuals, peers, families, schools, and neighborhoods.
Family and Youth Services Bureau
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families administers funding of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, which provides funding to states, domestic violence coalitions, and tribes to support the needs of victims of dating violence, domestic violence, and family violence.
Office for Victims of Crime
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established in 1984 to oversee programs that help victims of crime. OVC provides substantial funding to state victim assistance and compensation programs—the lifeline services that help victims heal. The agency supports training designed to educate criminal justice and allied professionals about the rights and needs of crime victims. OVC also sponsors an annual event in April to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Office on Violence Against Women
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women works with victim advocates and law enforcement to develop grant programs that support a wide range of services, including advocacy, emergency shelter, law enforcement protection, and legal aid for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Additionally, the Violence Against Women Office is leading efforts nationally and abroad to intervene in and prosecute crimes of trafficking in women and children and is addressing international domestic violence issues.
Womenshealth.gov
This site from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health provides information on dating violence, how to leave abusive relationships, how to remain safe when meeting new people, and how to avoid date rape drugs. This site also includes information specifically on teen dating violence and provides links to more information and resources.
Girlshealth.gov
This section of girlshealth.gov can help girls develop skills for building strong and healthy relationships of all types, including safe and healthy dating relationships. Included in the site are interactive quizzes girls can take to test what they have learned. Another section of girlshealth.gov features information on safety within relationships and how to tell whether you are in an abusive relationship.
National Institute of Justice: Teen Dating Violence
This site from the National Institute of Justice provides a range of information on teen dating violence including information on setting the teen dating violence research agenda, workshops that have been held, and information on the Federal Interagency Workgroup on Teen Dating Violence. Additional information is provided on the prevalence of teen dating violence and prevention and intervention.