A psychoeducational group for adolescent girls to facilitate egalitarian, non-abusive relationships

Violence in Israeli society has in recent years become more prevalent. Our Social and Welfare Services have been receiving more reports of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse within families and within Israeli society at large. In an attempt to address this problem, the authors selected eight girls, 14 to 15 years of age, to participate in a group to explore egalitarian relationships, with the goal of reducing the likelihood that members will enter a violent relationship. The group was part of a preventive intervention program for girls who were identified as being at high risk. The participants met for a 12-session psychoeducational therapy group to discuss a range of different topics associated with egalitarian relationships and violence, from both theoretical and practical perspectives. After having completed the program, participants generally reported a high level of satisfaction. The girls mostly responded that participating in the group greatly enhanced their knowledge about egalitarian, non-abusive relationships, as well as their personal awareness of the implications of violent behavior.