According to a new report issued by the New York Health Department, there were fewer fights in school's hallways between 2003 and 2005, but dating violence, including reports of rape, increased.

The percentage of school fights dropped with 4 percent, from 18 percent in 2003 to 14 percent in 2005, according to “Teen Safety in New York City,” an anonymous survey on 8,000 public high school students in the five boroughs of New York.

The survey also find out that the percentage of students carrying a weapon to school decreased from 9 percent in 1997 to 7 percent in 2005-the national average.

Although school violence is on decline, teenagers are facing another problem, as the numbers of reported rapes have increased according to the survey. About 6.5 percent students reported being raped in 1999, while the percentage increased to 10 units in 2005, which matches the national average for that year.

The health officials are advising the schools' managers to introduce prevention programs and parents to be more careful with their children.

"Know where your kids are at all times; speak about safety; be aware of clues for possible alcohol and substance abuse – things that greatly increase the risk for physical dating violence,” said Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden.