Letter: Take a stand against violence

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Editor,

February was Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This is a very serious issue; it happens everywhere and at any time. Here are some statistics you might not know about it. One in three teens in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Women ages 16-24 are three times more likely to experience abuse. This doesn’t mean that it can’t happen to boys too. These violent relationships have some serious effects on victims. They could cause a high risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, and even suicide.

It is time for our community to become more informed and involved in teen dating violence. Eighty-one percent of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know it’s an issue. Twenty percent of male students surveyed witnessed someone they go to high school with physically hit their dating partner. Thirty-nine percent of female high school students report that students talk about whether someone is attempting to control the person they are dating. Something must be done about the amount of violence that takes place in young peoples’ relationships.

We need to provide a voice for victims who have remained silent. That is why I am going to be the first to take this pledge and encourage you to take it too.

“I promise myself, future and current partners to maintain relationships that are based on respect, equality, trust and honest communication. I will value my partner’s boundaries online and behind closed doors. I will never engage in any type of abuse-physical, emotional, sexual, financial or digital. If one of my friends experiences abuse, I pledge to help them by saying something, modeling healthy communication and connecting them to resources. I pledge to remember, demonstrate and promote the fact that love is respect.”

Christian Corrao

Eighth grade student, Our Lady of Grace

Know More

The following are some resources available:

Prevail – www.prevailinc.com – 773-6942

Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence – www.icadvinc.org

Heathers Voice – www.heathersvoice.net

 


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