Interpersonal Violence – Teen Dating Violence And Risky Sexual Behavior

In this episode, Teen Dating Violence and Risky Sexual Behavior, we speak with Dr. Marni Kan from RTI International to learn tips and strategies to increase knowledge of TDV, best practices in addressing TDV in programming, and ways to support youth. Teaching adolescents how to form safe and healthy relationships is a key part of helping them refrain from engaging in risk-taking behaviors and improving their reproductive health outcomes and emotional and social well-being. Teen dating violence, a form of intimate partner violence, affects millions of youth and can set the stage for future unhealthy relationships and impacts that last a lifetime. Personal Responsibility Education Programs (PREP) programming is primed to address teen dating violence through Adulthood Preparation Subjects addressing healthy relationships by helping adolescents recognize characteristics of unhealthy and healthy relationships, establish beliefs that healthy relationships are important and attainable, and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to form healthy relationships, including skills needed to avoid being a perpetrator of violence. PREP programming also builds youth communication, negotiation, and refusal skills and coping skills related to well-being and self-regulation. Dr. Kan is a research psychologist with over 20 years of experience conducting research on promoting healthy relationships and behaviors among adolescents, young adults, and families. Her work focuses on preventing risks within relationships, including violence and risky sexual behavior. Dr. Kan adapts and evaluates teen dating violence prevention programs, sexual violence prevention programs, and programs that promote strong family relationships. Her recent work has involved special populations, including teens who are pregnant or parenting and military service members. Dr. Kan has led and worked on several projects for the Office of Population Affairs, Administration for Children and Families, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Defense. Dr. Kan is the author of numerous articles, presentations, and technical reports on topics including teen dating violence, intimate partner violence, adolescent reproductive health, program evaluation, parent–child relationships, and co-parenting. The Elevate Youth Programming podcast was developed by RTI International and funded by FYSB. The Elevate Youth Programming content does not reflect the opinions of FYSB nor its training and technical assistance contractors but offers topics to provoke thought and provide grantees with tips and strategies to enhance programming.