Model dating violence policy.

1. A board of education may include instruction on the problems of domestic violence and child abuse in an appropriate place in the curriculum of elementary school, middle school and high school pupils. The instruction shall enable pupils to understand the psychology and dynamics of family violence, dating violence and child abuse, the relationship of alcohol and drug use to such violence and abuse, the relationship of animal cruelty to such violence and abuse, and to learn methods of non-violent problem-solving.

Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, each school district shall incorporate dating violence education that is age appropriate into the health education curriculum as part of the district’s implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standard in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education for students in grades 7 through 12. The dating violence education shall include, but not be limited to, information on the definition of dating violence, recognizing dating violence warning signs, and the characteristics of healthy relationships. To assist school districts in developing a dating violence education program, the Department of Education shall recommend educational resources on dating violence. Upon written request to the school principal, a parent or legal guardian of a student less than 18 years of age, shall be permitted within a reasonable period of time after the request is made, to examine the dating violence education program instruction materials developed by the school district. As used in this section: “Dating partner” means any person involved in an intimate association with another individual that is primarily characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement, whether casual, serious, or long-term. “Dating violence” means a pattern of behavior where one person threatens to use, or actually uses physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to control a dating partner.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that: a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic Standard; a student who is a victim of dating violence suffers academically, and the student’s safety at school is jeopardized; and since all students have a right to learn and study in a safe, supportive environment that is free from violence, each school district should have a policy to prevent, and for responding to, incidents of dating violence, and should provide dating violence education to students in order to prevent dating violence and address incidents involving dating violence.

2. As used in this act [C.18A:37-33 et al.]:

“At school” means in a classroom or anywhere on school property, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, or at any school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is on school grounds.

“Dating partner” means any person involved in an intimate association with another individual that is primarily characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement, whether casual, serious, or long-term.

“Dating violence” means a pattern of behavior where one person threatens to use, or actually uses physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to control a dating partner.

The Department of Education shall recommend educational resources on dating violence and shall post these materials on its website.

February of each year is designated as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month” in New Jersey in order to promote public awareness and increase prevention of teen dating violence.

The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing February as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month” in New Jersey and calling upon public officials, high schools, law enforcement agencies, the citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

Document addresses school nurse's role in responding to student experiences of sexual violence or dating abuse as well as dating violence education as a component of K-12 health education.

Document addresses violence prevention programs.

Site provides information and resources on teen dating violence.