Implementation of the “safe dates programme” in PSCD lessons in four Maltese state schools : a pilot project

Abstract

In 2021 the Commission on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) & Domestic Violence (DV) launched a research study entitled, A Pilot Study Evaluating the Implementation of ‘Safe Dates’ - a Teen Relationship Abuse Prevention Programme led by Dr. Clarissa Sammut Scerri who at the time was a member of the Commission. This project’s focus is on the prevention of GBV and DV, which is one of the pillars of the Istanbul Convention. It is also guided by the Global status report on Violence Prevention (2020) , led by the World Health Organisation, together with the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The report identified seven evidence - based strategies that can prevent violence, one of which is education and life skills training. Safe Dates (Foshee & Langwick, 2021) is one example of these life skills training programmes that has shown evidence to prevent dating violence in the United States. It involves informative and educational activities and discussions for students regarding safe dating amongst adolescents and how to prevent teenage dating abuse. The Commission’s research team implemented the pilot study based on this life skills programme with the collaboration of the PSCD Education Officers and the PSCD teachers. The research team also evaluated its implementation on Year 10 ( Form 4) students in four State schools in Malta.