New program aims to support youth who have chosen to use violence in a dating relationship

Radius Child and Youth Services Radius Child and Youth Services is piloting a new program aimed at supporting youth between the ages of 12-21 who have chosen to use violence in a dating relationship with free counselling. The director of clinical services for Radius, Bente Skau joined us this morning.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Skau says Radius is aiming to spread the word about the prevalence of teen dating violence and the services available to help. 

“We’re offering services to young folks who are using the violence, with the hope that it’s going to stop,” said Skau. 

According to Canadian police reports, dating violence is the most common between individuals aged 15-24, making up 43 per cent of all dating violence incidents. 

Research conducted by Wolfe Et Al in 2002 found that 28 per cent of high school students have been victims of dating violence. Approximately one-third of all incidents of violence in intimate relationships are not reported. 

“There’s a lot of people suffering, there’s a lot of victims out there that haven’t been talking to anyone about the experience they have been having,” said Skau. “More importantly from our angle is that the person that’s creating the violence in those relationships is often going unchecked.”

Skau says intervention for these individuals is key so they don’t continue to choose violence in future relationships. She says the program to help was piloted and funded by Public Safety Canada. 

She says the people who choose violence often have a significant trauma history. Part of the program is a comprehensive assessment that also looks at their trauma experiences, followed by individual psychotherapy for as long as they need it. 

“Many of these young people may be with us one year, or one and a half years with weekly psychotherapy,” said Skau. “Nobody is born growing up and wanting to be violent with their dating partners and so it takes some time to really undo some of the messaging they hear, maybe in their own families, or society at large.” 

Skau says violence in dating isn’t always physical. She says even someone being controlling over their dating partner’s social media is considered a form of violence in a relationship. She says many young people don’t even realize they are in a violent relationship. 

“That’s why having this awareness and talking about these issues is so critically important,” said Skau.