Family & Community Students & Families
Student Support, Career & Education Services

Guidelines for Schools on Addressing Teen Dating Violence

Questions and Answers

While it is critical that the victim's safety be considered at all times, school staff are required by law to comply with statutory reporting obligations for suspected physical and sexual abuse, and to report instances of criminal violations of existing restraining orders to the local police.

Putting victim safety as your first priority means considering the impact or possible impact of your actions on the victim. It is important to ask the question: Will s/he be endangered by anyone as a result of your actions? Safety planning with the victim and her/his support providers is a necessary part of reporting, disclosing to or notifying others on behalf of the victim.

Below some commonly asked questions are addressed.

1. What should a school do once it is notified of a student's restraining order?

   The school administrator should hold SEPARATE meetings with each student and her/his parents to review the order and the implications. Included as part of this meeting should also be an agreement as to who this information will be shared with.

   A "safety plan" should be worked out to address the victim's needs and concerns, including staff to report to if concerns arise or a violation occurs, and any schedule changes that may be considered.

   With the named defendant it is important to review the terms of the order, expectations around appropriate behavior, and the consequences for violation of the order. See Appendix C

2. How would a school know if a student has a Restraining Order?

   The only way school personnel would know if a student has a restraining order issued, or if a student is a defendant in a restraining order, is if the students involved or their parents notified the school. It is important that schools stress the importance of safety for students in their school at all times, and the importance of knowing about situations that make any students unsafe. Situations such as teen dating violence, existing restraining orders, harassment, bullying and teasing that may make students feel unsafe or uncomfortable should be cited as examples to encourage students to come forward with this information so that there is support for their concerns. Additionally, it is important for schools to develop a strong working relationship with the local police department and courts for assistance with these types of situations.

3. Should parents be notified by school representatives of their concerns regarding dangers in a teen relationship?

   All schools should include in their policy whether on not it is mandatory that parents be contacted in situations of teen dating violence. If the school's policy is to contact parents, it is important to talk with the student about notification of parents, exploring any concerns about safety that may arise.

   If there is a restraining order, parents should automatically be contacted and involved in the "safety planning" for both the victim and defendant.

4. Does a school have to report to the Department of Social Services if there is disclosure about an abusive dating relationship?

   Where the victim is under 18, abuse in a teen dating relationship must be reported to the Department of Social Services under G.L. c. 119, s.51A. Where the alleged abuser is not the child's caretaker (which will most often be the case in teen dating situations), DSS will 'screen out' such reports and not initiate an investigation. Instead, such reports will be referred to the local district attorney's office, where assessments will be made regarding appropriate further action, including victim contact, further investigation and possible prosecution.

5. Where the disclosure is made to a staff member of a public or private school or facility, who is responsible for reporting such abuse to DSS?

   Pursuant to Massachusetts G.L. c. 119, s.51A, the staff member may notify either DSS, or the person in charge of the institution, who shall then have the responsibility to report. Staff members should consult existing school policies on this issue.

6. How should a school intervene if there is an awareness of an abusive situation with a student and there has not been a restraining order?

   If school personnel are aware of such a situation, it is suggested that an appropriate school staff member meet with the student who is the target of the abuse, share her/his concerns, and develop a safety plan. It would also be important to contact and intervene, in a way that is safe for the victim, with the abuser, utilizing available referrals for counseling, batterer treatment, support groups, police/court assistance, or notification to parents.

7. How should a school handle rumors of abuse?

   It is important to take third party information seriously where teen dating violence is concerned. It is recommended that a school staff member who has a relationship with the student in question, approach the student to discuss what has been heard and potential concerns. If abuse is acknowledged, a "safety plan" should be worked on, in addition to recommending and sharing referrals for counseling, support groups, and police/court assistance.

[ Previous || Next ]
Return to the Table of Contents