Violence in Dating for Youth

Recent studies reveal that 1 in 5 students have used violence on his girlfriend and 1 in 2 girls are inclined to forgive him. Violence in dating settings has recently been recognized as a disturbing social problem. Such violence among young people assumes importance, not only for its consequences on physical and mental health, but also because aggressive behavior can be transferred to the adult stage. Dating in adolescence is usually their first intimate relationship experience that can lead to situations of violence, either physical, sexual or psychological, considering their different perceptions and difficulties in identifying violent behavior. The pressures, insecurities, passion, jealousy, control, gender issue, lack of experience, lack of training paths aimed at preventing these factors in the contributions of the schools will be the main topics focused by the consortium. In this context VIDA YOUTH has pursued the general objective of reducing youth violence during the events. The specific objectives were: a) Improvement of awareness of the problem by young people, students, teachers, educators, trainers, social workers and assistants, youth organizations and public institutions; b) Improvement of the interpersonal skills of young people among themselves, with teachers and with members of their family; c) Improvement of self-esteem and security during meetings with their peers; d) Improvement of the formal, non-formal and informal educational system on the subject. The participating organizations were: TENDER by Sdogati Claudio P1 (IT) is a training agency also active among young people employed, unemployed and NEET. Associazione Culturale Communia P2 (IT) is a non-profit cultural organization of young people and active among young people. SOPRO P3 (PT) is a non-profit cultural organization of young people and active among young people who mainly uses volunteers. Eurosuccess P4 (CY) is a private training agency with extensive experience in European projects for young people. Hranice Development Agency P5 (CZ) is a public regional development agency that also deals with education for young people and adults; AELV P6 (ES) is a non-profit cultural organization of young people and active among young people dealing with education at European level. Responsible Citizens P7 (GR) is a non-profit cultural organization of young people and active among young people for education. UCAM P8 (ES) is a Spanish university located in Murcia, Murcia, which deals with education and training for about 25,000 registered students. IIS Podest Calzecchi Onesti P9 (IT) is a public state institute of professional training. The main activities carried out followed organizational and temporal procedures as indicated in the application form. They are summarized as follows: Project management (Leader TENDER by Sdogati Claudio P1) Research methodology planning and pre-test (UCAM Leader P8) Development of teaching materials for teachers (IIS Leader Podesti P9 & SOPRO P3) Presentation of the project to stakeholders (Leader AELV P6) Class project work (Leader Association Cultural Communia P2) Post-test application (Leaders Hranice Development Agency P5 & Responsible Citizens P7) Data Analysis (Leaders Association Communia P2 + Responsible Citizens P7 + UCAM P8) Development of educational material and guidelines for students (Leader Eurosuccess ltd P4) Dissemination and Dissemination (UCAM Leader P8) The results that emerged from the research and investigation activities were many and interesting, starting from those relating to the good practices in force in the various countries of the Consortium, to those relating to the definition of the study and research methodology developed by UCAM, to those relating to the pre-tests and post-tests conducted among the students of the schools of the various countries, to then move on to those connected to the analysis of the collected data. Also the two elaborations of teaching material for teachers and the educational material and the guidelines for students are considered new and appreciable results from the scientific point of view. The impact obtained from the activities carried out was broad, profound and certainly positive on all the target groups that the proposal intended to involve. A particular impact has been had on the whole school environment that has been called upon to face and to tackle a question that has been neglected until now neglected. The benefits of the project activities were immediately visible, even when the activities were still in full swing phase, but the extension of the medium and long-term benefits is seen because most of the Partners have planned to replicate initiatives and interventions in the schools and youth organizations even after the official conclusion of the project.