Dating violence remains common among New Brunswick teenagers despite the existence of school programs that teach otherwise, according to a study released Wednesday by the Muriel McQueen Furgusson Centre in Fredericton.

The 257-page study focused on mental, physical and sexual violence in relationships between high school students, and on the programs currently available for reducing that violence. It was prepared for federal advocacy group Status of Women Canada and surveyed New Brunswick high school students from Grades 9 to 12.

The report found that despite increased education about dating violence and awareness about what constitutes abuse in a relationship, 38 per cent of high school students have been in a violent relationship and 21 per cent admitted to having been violent with their romantic partner. 

It also found that girls had a better understanding and were less accepting of dating violence than boys, and had better ways of coping with abusive or violent situations.

Despite that, researchers found that students were more accepting of violence in girls than in boys, and that students were only somewhat confident in their ability to act appropriately in violent situations.

Psychologist Sandra Byers is the lead researcher on the study, and says the results point to a pressing need for a province-wide program to reduce violence in teen relationships.

Byers says the provincial government must provide the education and support program with long-term funding, and it must be delivered through schools and community groups.

"I think there's a big role for community groups, there's specialized training, they can come in and do specialized programs, but they need to work with the school and work with teachers to do so."

Grade 12 student Robin McCarthy says she often witnesses abusive relationships between her classmates in Fredericton, and says there isn't enough support in school for teens who feel stuck.

She describes one friend whose boyfriend isolated her from friends and activities.

"It's not healthy. And especially at such a young age," she said. "It's just not a good experience, because you lose out on your high-school experience and what high school is all about."

The study also recommends better training for teachers, school workers including cafeteria staff and bus drivers, nurses and community-police officers.