Programs that teach young peoplehow to avoid abusive relationshipsare generally for high school or college age.But new programs are being created for younger studentsbecause they too experience abusive dating relationships.Earlier this year the Robert Wood Johnson Foundationreleased a study done in the United States.Fifteen percent of seventh graders in the studysaid they had been the victim of physical violencein a relationship with the opposite sex.Seventh graders are about twelve years old.Kelly Miller, a lawyer in the state of Idaho,directs a program called Start Strong Idaho.It started three and a half years ago.The goal is to help eleven- to fourteen-year-oldslearn the skills to have healthy and safe relationships.For example, she teaches them to "wait a secondand breathe" before they make a decision.Ms. Miller says a big problem for young peopleis that television programs, video gamesand movies often show violent relationships.Mobile phones and the Internet can also create problems.KELLY MILLER: "Now young people have access to one another 24/7,which I think really can complicate lives of young peoplethat don't have the skills or boundaries or that ability to say,'No I can't text you at two in the morning'or 'No, I really need to get to sleep by elevenbecause I've got a test tomorrow morning."Kelly Miller says young people need adults to teach themwhat it means to have a healthy relationship.Several American cities have received money from the CDC,the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,for programs to prevent abusive relationships.A private organization called Men Can Stop Rapehas groups for boys between the ages of twelve and fourteen.These Men of Strength, or MOST, groups teach boysthat being a strong man is not always about physical strength.They learn that if they respect themselves and others,they will be men of strength.They are also taught that they can be allies of girls and women.A CDC study showed that boys in these groupsare more likely help a young womanwho is being mistreated by another boy.In Idaho, the state does a Youth Risk Behavior Survey each year.Ms. Miller says the number of high school studentswho say they have been physically hurt by a dating partnerhas dropped by six percentage points in the past six years.KELLY MILLER: "So we're hopeful if we continue this workin really promoting healthy teen relationshipsand teaching those skills, that we can continueto impact the Youth Risk Behavior Survey question."Next week, we look at some of the skillsneeded to build healthy relationships.And that's the VOA Special English Health Report,available online at 51voa.com.Read, listen and learn English with our programsand activities.You can also find links to the Start Strong Idahoand Men Can Stop Rape websites.