Lunchtime Seminar: Shifting Boundaries: Findings from a Youth Dating Violence Prevention Program Evaluation in NYC Middle Schools

For Immediate Release: October 13, 2011

The Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) continues its fall lunchtime seminar series October 27th with “Shifting Boundaries: Findings from a Youth Dating Violence Prevention Program Evaluation in NYC Middle Schools,” presented by Nan Stein, Ed.D. and Bruce Taylor, Ph.D. This research project, funded by the National Institute of Justice and conducted in 30 New York City middle schools (sixth and seventh grades), looked at precursors to teen dating violence, in particular sexual harassment, peer violence, and adolescent relationship violence. This study, led by Stein and Taylor, was first to use a rigorous scientific methodology with such a young population; most teen dating violence projects look at older students. Schools were assigned to one of four conditions: (1) a classroom-based intervention, (2) a building intervention, (3) both classroom and building interventions, or (4) a no-treatment control group.  Researchers collected program evaluation data from about 2,700 students who completed surveys administered before the intervention, immediately afterwards, and about six months post-intervention. In this seminar, Stein and Taylor will discuss the results and implications of their research.


Lunchtime seminars are held Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Centers' Cheever House location, 828 Washington Street, Wellesley. The programs are free and open to the public. Bring your lunch, WCW will provide tea and coffee. To confirm program line-up, call 781 283 2500 or visit www.wcwonline.org/calendar.

The Wellesley Centers for Women is one of the largest gender-focused research-and-action organizations in the world. Scholars at the Centers conduct social science research and evaluation, develop theory and publications, and implement training programs on issues that put women’s lives and women’s concerns at the center. Since 1974, our work has generated changes in attitudes, practices, and public policy.