Choose Respect

The Choose Respect initiative is a national initiative created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help adolescents form healthy relationships in order to prevent dating abuse and violence. The initiative targets 11-14 year olds, as well as the adults in their lives. It is designed to motivate adolescents to challenge harmful beliefs about dating abuse. In addition, it encourages young adults to take steps to form respectful relationships. This is important to establish early in life, as unhealthy relationship behaviors can start early and last a lifetime. According to the CDC, one in 11 adolescents reports being a victim of physical dating violence. The initiative focuses on reinforcing and sustaining positive attitudes among adolescents regarding relationships by 1) providing effective messages for adolescents, parents, caregivers and teachers; 2) creating opportunities for adolescents and parents to learn about positive relationship behaviors; 3) increasing the adolescents' ability to recognize and prevent unhealthy, violent relationships; and 4) promoting ways for a variety of audiences to get information and other tools to prevent dating abuse. The Choose Respect education materials are an innovative mix of interactive learning tools including eCards, posters, bookmarks, online games, radio spots, videos, and online quizzes.

The goal of Choose Respect is to encourage positive action on the part of the adolescent so that he/she is able to form healthy, respectful relationships.

Since launching in May 2006, more than 325,000 people have attended Choose Respect events. Thousands of youth have listened to Choose Respect messages and have been given the opportunity to speak about their personal stories. Choose Respect messages have been successfully promoted through sports events, rap sessions, rallies, community contests, among other settings and media.