What should be included in a school's dating violence prevention program?

• A. Instruction on healthy relationships
• B. A strict focus on academic consequences for the perpetrator
• C. An emphasis on punitive measures for perpetrators
• D. A suggestion to ignore the issue to avoid discomfort

Answer: (A)

Teaching what healthy relationships look like is the foundation of a school’s dating violence prevention program. It gives students concrete skills for respect, consent, clear communication, and boundaries, and shows them how to seek help when concerns arise. A strong program also helps them recognize unhealthy patterns and supports safety planning, bystander intervention, and access to resources. By focusing on prevention through relationship education, students are empowered to form safer, more respectful connections before any harm occurs.

If a program only emphasizes consequences for the perpetrator or ignores the issue altogether, it misses the proactive goal of building healthy behavior and a supportive school climate.