The Youth Relationships Manual: A Group Approach with Adolescents for the Prevention of Woman Abuse and the Promotion of Healthy Relationships

by David A. Wolfe, Christine Wekerle, Robert Gough, Deborah Reitzel-Jaffe, Carolyn Grasley

Overview

Designed to combat physical and sexual aggression against women and children, this prevention programme manual is based on the premise that the best opportunity for promoting healthy, non-violent relationships is to intervene during adolescence, when peer relationships and interpersonal style become firmly established. The proactive, competency-enhancing programme is designed to build strengths, resilience and coping skills in young people.

Carefully developed and tested in the field, the 18-session group training programme has three principal sections, covering informational, skill-building and social action learning opportunities. The manual provides a detailed curriculum for the programme, which is designed for eight to

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761901945
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	04/01/1996
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Wolfe holds the inaugural RBC Chair in Children's Mental Health at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and heads the CAMH Centre for Prevention Science. He is also Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Toronto. Since 2007 he has served as Editor-in-Chief of Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, past President of Division 37 (Child, Youth, and Family Services), and received a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). He has provided extensive assessment and consultation to child protective services, schools, and the court with respect to issues of child abuse and violence.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Philosophy and Goals of the Project
A Conceptual Model of Intervention
Intended Participants
Implementing the Program
Co-Facilitator Qualities and Characteristics
Safety Awareness concerning Young Women in the Program
Male Defensiveness
PART TWO: DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUTH RELATIONSHIPS PROJECT
Rationale
Beginnings
Evaluation
PART THREE: PROGRAM SESSIONS AND EXERCISES
Introduction to the Youth Relationships Project Manual
SECTION ONE: VIOLENCE IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS: IT'S ALL ABOUT POWER
Session 1: Introduction to Group
Summary
Session 2: Power In Relationships
Explosions and Assertions
Session 3: Defining Relationship Violence
Power Abuses
SECTION TWO: BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE: WHAT WE CAN CHOOSE TO DO AND WHAT WE CAN CHOOSE NOT TO DO
Session 4: Defining Powerful Relationships
Equality, Empathy and Emotional Expressiveness
Session 5: Defining Power Relationships
Assertiveness Instead of Aggressiveness
Session 6: Date Rape
Being Clear, Being Safe
SECTION THREE: THE CONTEXTS OF RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE
Session 7: Date Rape and Learning How to Handle Dating Pressure
Session 8: Gender Socialization and Societal Pressure
Session 9: Choosing Partners and Sex-Role Stereotypes
Session 10: Sexism
Session 11: Media and Sexism
SECTION FOUR: MAKING A DIFFERENCE: WORKING TOWARD BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE
Session 12: Confronting Sexism and Violence against Women
Session 13: Getting to Know Community Helpers for Relationship Violence
Sessions 14 and 15: Getting out and about in the Community
Social Service Agencies
Sessions 16 and 17: Getting out and about in the Community
Social Action to End Relationship Violence
Session 18: End of Group ‘Celebration'

Editorial Reviews

This intervention manual uses a group approach to focus on adolescent relationships and the prevention of woman abuse. Topics include power in relationships; breaking the cycle of violence; and the contribution of sexism, sex role stereotypes, and the media in relationship violence. Specific exercises teach active listening, assertiveness skills, clear communication, and respect among relationship partners. Videotapes, outside speakers, active community involvement, and other hands-on experiences are woven into the curriculum. The authors' primary goal is to assist adults in empowering youth to end violence in relationships through education, skill development, and social competence. The authors objectives are very important, and this manual addresses the key issues. This manual appears to be written primarily for mental health practitioners and school counselors with some experience working with teenagers; important group leader qualities are indicated. The manual can be applied in a variety of settings (i.e., school, clinic, hospitals). The authors developed the manual from their ongoing research program on violence against women and children, and they are experts on this topic. Each chapter covers one group session, including a summary of the session's goals and objectives, detailed descriptions of the activities and their time allotment, and specific exercises and handouts. Two chapters include tables and figures to supplement the text. Most references are from the '90s;1990s; no subject or author index is provided. This easy-to-follow manual fills an important gap in the literature by focusing on violence among teenagers. Despite minimal outcome data, the program employs an engagingand compelling format using varied techniques, such as role-plays, interactive exercises, and group discussions to teach positive behaviors and appropriate conflict resolution skills. The manual is especially useful for trained professionals working with young people exposed to violence or at risk for violence in future interpersonal relationships.

Geri R. Donenberg

An 18-session curriculum and manual designed as a group training program to promote nonviolent relationships and prevent cycles of violence among adolescents. Road tested with the Youth Relationships Project, the manual guides teens to positive roles in dating and interpersonal style by providing information, building skills, and involving the participants in community programs. The sessions cover power and violence in relationships, date rape, sexism, the media and sexism, and also practical advice on how to confront sexism and violence against women. Includes exercises, handout reproductions, forms, and group building techniques. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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