Crossing the Line is a vital tool for combating teen dating violence and abuse. In a nationwide survey by the Centers for Disease Control, 10% of high school students reported being physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend. An effective program to combat teen dating abuse is an essential part of any high school health and guidance curriculum.
This is the story of Megan – a happy, athletic, “A” student who wants desperately to be in a relationship and have a boyfriend. She connects with Matt, who seems at first to be her soul mate. As their relationship evolves, Matt monopolizes more and more of Megan’s time. He isolates her from her friends and activities, abuses her verbally and eventually becomes physically violent.
The program tells Megan’s story in dramatic vignettes that are grounded in the latest research on teen dating abuse. Your students will relate to Megan, Matt and their peers as they bring the causes and consequences of teen dating abuse to life.
Includes:
Video, plus teacher’s resource book, student handouts and pre/post tests in digital format
Reviews
Highly Recommended The DVD’s considered for this review, all youth related programs that spotlight and confront issues that teenagers tackle on a daily basis, includes
- Confronting Sexual Harassment in School: What Every Student Needs to Know
- Understanding and Preventing Sexual Violence
- Dealing with Teen Dating Abuse: Crossing the Line
- Before you Hook Up: Dating Rights and Responsibilities
- How to Say No and Really Mean It
Each video educates students on how to prevent unhealthy interactions with others by understanding the issues at hand, along with having the power and skills to set boundaries and “just say no.” Video reenactments of teenagers coping with different sensitive situations add to the eye-opening explanations of topics concerning gender stereotypes, media safety, teen violence, sexual harassment, and peer pressure.
Consideration and careful reflection is given in revealing the stories of victims who have battled emotional anguish and misfortune from schoolmates. Narratives pertaining to teens who have struggled to get through these various life changing events are very moving. Each video smartly confronts teenage problems and gives real advice and hope on how to change the outcomes and build peer interactions that are healthy and respectful. Exceptional acting/role playing help to make each video credible and viewers will relate to the teens being portrayed as they are very recognizable and could be part of their own family.
These DVDs come with a Teacher’s Resource materials that make learning objectives clear and help to promote classroom discussions. Student activities are included in the materials which makes each DVD thought-provoking and comprehensive while allowing students the opportunity to reflect on their own peer relationships. These titles are highly recommended and should be purchased for programs and schools interested in promoting an equal and just environment for students at every level.
—Hope Marie Cook, Curriculum Center Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University
Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO)
This program dramatizes one vignette featuring a pair of dating teens whose relationship has become abusive. The story is told with acted scenes and first-person accounts from the teen boy, Matt, his girlfriend, Megan, and Megan's best friend, Ana. Matt acknowledges that his last relationship ended because his girlfriend thought he was too controlling, but he doesn't recognize that he is repeating the pattern by trying to control Megan and monopolize her time. Matt's demands threaten Megan's r friendships and her ability to participate in team sports. She appears to recognize that Matt's demands are taking her away from activities that she enjoys, but she accommodates his wishes because she cares deeply for him. Ana doesn't think that Matt is treating Megan well, and misses the time that she and Megan used to spend together. Verbal abuse is also an element in Matt's control over Megan. This is an open-ended scenario, with no specified conclusion. This program would stimulate conversations among teens, especially when the supplemental materials are used. However, The Ten Signs of Relationship Abuse (Human Relations Media, 2007) covers more dating abuse circumstances and has 11 additional minutes of content.
—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Preparatory, San Jose, CA
School Library Journal