Schools not equipped to handle, educate about teen dating violence, study says

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A new study says that more teens are becoming victims of dating violence, and it could pose a public health problem in schools.

The study, backed by Ball State University in Indiana , found that one third of teens are experiencing dating violence, and schools are not doing much to help.

The report says 70% of school counselors have not received the proper training to deal with dating violence, and less than half of schools teach students about dating violence.

22News spoke with one teen who says that it's a topic that's not talked about enough.

“In health class, they did a little thing on teen violence and dating violence,” said Michelle Pederzani-Dineen of Northampton. “It was like a chapter in a book. Not a lot of people pay attention to it, because they are like ‘oh it will never happen to me,’ but it does.”

Researchers say dating violence can range from verbal abuse to rape and murder.

More than 300 school counselors were surveyed for the study, which found the majority of dating violence victims were girls.