Complex relationship issues and preventing dating violence will be addressed at Fairfield high school next week in an awareness program sponsored by the GFWC Fairfield History Club. “Choosing Respect” will be moderated at FHS on Feb. 10 by former FISD superintendent Tony Price.

An informational program will be presented Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church for parents and community members and a follow-up program for those who miss the presentation will be offered on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.

According to research done by History Club members, American teens from across the country are experiencing alarmingly high levels of abuse in their dating relationships, and the economy appears to have made it worse.

Nearly half of all teens whose families have experienced economic problems in the past year report having witnessed their parents abusing each other.

These teens report a higher incidence of abuse in their own dating relationships, says a recently released study on teen dating abuse commissioned by Family Violence Prevention and Liz Claiborne Inc. (Love is Respect).

The study released in 2009 reported that one in five teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.

One in three girls who have been in a serious relationship say they’ve been concerned about being physically hurt. One in four girls reported going further sexually than they wanted to as a result of pressure.

Despite the high numbers

of teens experiencing abuse, parents are dangerously out of touch with the level of dating violence and abuse taking place in their children’s lives.

Though 82 percent of parents felt confident they could spot the signs of abuse, only about 58 percent could correctly identify the warning signs.

The majority of teens in abusive relationships have not confided in their parents, but when they do, significant numbers do not heed parents’ advice. Schools remain the most efficient way to reach youth in the community.

Teen dating violence is a community problem, requiring the attention and involvement of the community at large. Schools cannot do it alone. Information and perspectives on dating violence that students acquire through classroom lessons must be reinforced by family and friends, community and church groups, the media and public officials.

To prevent dating violence and promote healthy behaviors, communities must ultimately transform the societal influences that allow dating violence to take root.

Next week’s programs are sponsored by the Fairfield History Club through their Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Campaign.