Arkansas § 6-16-1004 - Dating violence awareness.

§ 6-16-1004. Dating violence awareness.

Annually, in either the month of October for a one-semester course taught in the fall or the month of February for a one-semester course taught in the spring, a unit on dating violence awareness shall be taught as a component of a health course offered in grades seven through twelve (7-12). A unit on dating violence awareness shall: Focus on healthy relationships, including the characteristics of healthy relationships; Teach students the definition of dating violence and abuse, including without limitation: Warning signs of dating violence and abusive behavior; and Measures to stop or prevent dating violence and abusive behavior; Inform students about resources and reporting procedures for dating violence or abuse; and Examine the common misconceptions and stereotypes about dating violence and abuse. Materials used to teach a unit in dating violence awareness shall be age appropriate. Information provided shall be objective and based on scientific research that is peer-reviewed and accepted by professionals and credentialed experts in the field of health education. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall annually provide a list of source materials available for school districts to use to teach a unit on dating violence awareness, including without limitation materials from: The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The National Domestic Violence Hotline; The National Institutes of Health; and Other sources of scientifically based research that are peer-reviewed.