Teen Relationship Abuse Prevention Program, which began in 2006, works in six host schools throughout New York City by providing crisis-counseling services and educational workshops. Some students who grow up in abusive family environments may carry their behavior to school or to personal relationships.
We aim to increase student awareness of abusive relationship behaviors, how to develop healthy relationships and increase emotional support and stability. We conduct presentations and outreach on identifying teen abuse to teachers, school staff, community residents and parents.
A 7-week summer Peer Leadership Program offers students additional education and community service credit and trains them to be peer leaders. The Relationship Abuse Prevention Program currently serves an average of 400 students per year with crisis counseling, 525 students with group counseling and 800 students with educational curricula on healthy and non-healthy relationships and teen dating violence.