Dating Violence among High School Students

Abstract

Students from three midwestern high schools were surveyed regarding their experience with sexual, physical, and verbal dating violence. There were 631 respondents from suburban, rural, and inner-city schools. The survey explored the proportion of students who experienced violence and the characteristics and correlates of the violence. The pro-portion of females who reported sexual violence was 15.5 percent; the proportion was the same for physical violence. However, it rose to 24.6 percent reporting sexual or physical violence or both. The proportion of male respondents reporting violence was lower: 4.4 percent for sexual violence, 7.8 percent for physical violence, and 9.9 percent for both sexual and physical violence. Significant correlates of violence included dating patterns, grade point average, and the community in which the student lived. Respondents said violence tended to recur, but they did not disclose this to parents or officials. Implications with regard to the causes, treatment, and prevention of violence are discussed.