The first phase will be to identify, through the use of focus groups and online surveys, how middle school students perceive dating or domestic violence, what influences their perception and how technology has an impact on dating violence behaviors. Doctoral researchers at Lehigh University’s Social Science Data Center will cull the information from these focus groups to build the 20-question diagnostic online survey tool.
With the data from these student surveys, the Weller Center will develop a new, outcomes-based dating violence prevention workshop for students in these counties which will seek to provide vital information to these students before the onset of these behaviors. This second phase consists of two hour-long workshops focusing on the components of a healthy and an unhealthy relationship including how to break the cycle of violence.
Pocono Mountain School District’s sixth and seventh grade students will participate in the student focus groups and the online survey this fall. In the spring, the same students will take part in the two hour-long violence prevention workshops delivered by the Weller Center.
“Verizon is proud to improve the quality of life for youth and families in Northeastern Pennsylvania by empowering the community with innovative tools and resources,” said Daniel J. Reavy, Director of External Affairs for Verizon Pennsylvania. “We’re investing in programs, such as our partnership with the Weller Health Education Center, to reach every type of learner across the lifespan and to touch people’s lives by focusing on education, health and family safety in the 21
st century. We understand that education does not begin or end in the classroom. Visit
www.thinkfinity.org to learn more.”
A press conference offering additional details about this partnership will be held at Clear Run Intermediate School at 3600 Memorial Boulevard, Tobyhanna, PA Wednesday, September 30 at 10:00 a.m.