Formal evaluation of dating violence prevention program

Abstract

This document (escribes a formal evaluation of a Dating Violence Prevention Program pilot projtet conducted by New Horizons, a domestic abuse agency serving women and children in Buffalo County, Wisconsin. The program was created in response to an increase in the number of reports of dating violence in Buffalo County. The program took place in the fall of 1999 and was conducted with a group of nine female students at the Mondovi Middle School, Mondovi, Wisconsin. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine potential changes that would enhance the program's implementation and its effectiveness. Evaluation data was gathered through the administration of three self-report questionnaires and a focus group interview. All data were recorded during the final program session. The questionnaires and focus group interview were designed to describe program participants and to assess the evaluation process (e.g. utilization and delivery) and outcome variables (e.g. attitudes, satisfaction, psychological safety) Data were analyzed and reported via quantitative and qualitative methods. Results of the evaluation showed the typical participant of the Dating Violence Prevention Program to be a 13 years old female resident of the City of Mondovi, attending the eighth grade and living with their biological mothers. Half of the participants had dated in the past and half were currently dating. All of the subjects were able to list at least one adult with whom they could speak to regarding questions or concerns about dating violence. Regarding program utilization and delivery, the time and location of the program were found convenient. The quality of handouts, group size, and level of supervision were found acceptable. Subjects found that the length and number of sessions could have been greater. Results of the assessment designed to measure psychological safety showed that overall, subjects felt psychologically safe during the Dating Violence Prevention Program. Outcome measures showed that subjects enjoyed the exercises and activities and regarded the topic of dating violence as important for middle school students. They also showed that subjects agreed that violence against a romantic partner was never okay. However, a couple of subjects indicated that violence was acceptable if a person were defending himself or herself. Results of the Utilization and Delivery questionnaire showed that the time and location of the program were convenient and that the quality of handouts, group size, and level of supervision were acceptable. Subjects indicated that the length and number of sessions could have been greater. Results of the assessment designed to measure psychological safety showed that overall, subjects felt psychologically safe during the Dating Violence Prevention Program. Results of the Focus Group Interview reaffirmed the subject's written responses and provided additional information regarding the impact of the poor listening skills of group members. Unknowns to the evaluation include whether results can be generalized to the population of eighth grade females attending Mondovi Middle School as well as whether the program could be conducted successfully with different age groups. Limitations include the lack of evaluation impact assessments. Suggestions for improving the Dating Violence Prevention program include identifying females who may be at risk for dating violence, incorporating the program into school curriculum, adding topic areas that subjects expressed interest in, increasing the length and number of program sessions, and educating participants on reflective listening. Suggested changes in evaluation design include adding pre/post measures of attitudinal and behavior changes and using control and treatment groups