Service Project Ideas

Design and distribute fliers about domestic violence, dating abuse, and resource organizations and arrange to have them displayed in your community's doctors' offices and your school nurse's or guidance counselor's office.

Create a skit about dating abuse. The skit can involve fictitious scenarios, highlight historical changes brought about by the domestic violence movement or how friends can help a friend who is being abused or is being abusive.

Make posters about stopping dating abuse and domestic violence. Use photography, computer graphics and artwork to make the posters unique. Post finished artwork around the school. (This activity could be part of a larger public service campaign by combining a few of the project ideas from this list.)

Ask your school principal for permission to make morning announcements each day for one week. Students can work together to write and read the announcements. Announcements might include warning signs of abuse, characteristics of a healthy relationship, and how to get help.

National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week. The first full week of February is National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week. Organize activities during this time and get your school or community involved. Work with your classmates and/or other organizations you might be involved in (clubs, athletic teams, church youth groups, etc.)

Write to your local, state and federal representatives about domestic violence. Include facts, statistics, and recommendations for change. Involve family and friends to support your recommendations.

Generate a petition for protective legislations and get signatures from teachers, parents, siblings, and other students. Use the 800 numbers in the back of this guide to help locate your local domestic violence shelter. The people there will welcome your phone call.

Research your school's policies about dating abuse. If you think the policy needs to be amended, make suggestions.

Design a "dating bill of rights and warning signs" bookmark. Distribute bookmark during lunch periods, at a school assembly or during homeroom.

Write an article for your local or school paper or create a radio or TV story about dating abuse and domestic violence. Appeal to local media outlets to publish or broadcast your piece. Use statistics and information from this site, or work with a person from your local domestic violence program to provide additional information.

Create Public Service Announcements for your school (either radio style or TV broadcast) about dating abuse, such as stats, warning signs, where to get help and how to help a friend.

Organize an event for parents and/or your community about healthy relationships and what they should know about teen dating abuse.

Sponsor an art contest about healthy relationships/ dating abuse/ domestic violence and have the winning entry made into a poster to distribute in your community.

Create displays in school, churches and community centers about dating abuse, domestic violence and where to get help. Talk with your local domestic abuse agency for help with ideas and local resources.

Organize a fundraiser/or donation drive with the proceeds going to a local domestic violence program. Fundraisers might be canned food drives, coat and clothing drives, holiday gift drives, bake sales, and/or car washes. Brainstorm ideas for what would work best in your area.

Write a pledge stating that abuse does not belong in relationships. Set up a table in your school or community to display the written pledge for everyone to read and sign.

Use your imagination. Start a new way to create change!