‘We Say No More to Dating Violence’
A student reads information and statistics pertaining to teen violence awareness during a “Purple Out” program held recently at Jefferson-Morgan High School. The event, coordinated by the Greene County office of the Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania, was held as part of DVSSP’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness about teen violence. In recognition of February being designated as Teen Violence Awareness Month, the local DVSSP office is coordinating many initiatives throughout the month, including visits to schools and a video contest.
Submitted photo
Jefferson-Morgan High School cheerleaders proudly show off their purple colors during the recent “Purple Out” program that was held during a school basketball game. The program was held to help raise awareness about teen dating violence.
Submitted photo
WAYNESBURG – Across America, February is designated as Teen Violence Awareness Month, an effort to raise the consciousness on an issue that’s a lot more widespread than many people might believe.
Statistics provided by the Greene County office of Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania (DVSSP) show that girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence. Another statistic indicates that 80 percent of girls who have been abused by their partner continue to date their abuser.
“Physical, mental and sexual mistreatment, bullying, stalking and manipulation are all aspects of abuse,” said Natalie Schwoerer, counselor advocate for Greene County’s DVSSP office in Waynesburg.
“Power and control is what leads to teen abuse, and one in three teens report that they get up to 30 text messages per hour by their partners who just want to know where they are.”
Another study shows that the majority of parents admit that they never talk to their children about teen dating violence. Schwoerer said that DVSSP wants to get the word out to parents about the need to discuss with their children what makes for a healthy dating relationship.
To inform the public about this serious issue, the Greene County office is sponsoring a video contest open to all middle and high school students in the county’s four school districts. Contestants are asked to create a two- to five-minute long video on the theme “We Say No More to Dating Violence.”
The videos must be submitted via email to DVSSPGreene@peacefromdv.org by 4 p.m. on Feb. 23. The videos will be judged by DVSSP staff, and winners will be selected by Feb. 28. Cash prizes of $100 will be awarded to the most creative individual entry and most creative group with $50 going to individual and group runners up.
To advertise the contest, DVSSP has been posting flyers at area schools and community organizations and has contacted the guidance counselors at each of the county’s four school districts explaining the purpose of the contest, which is being sponsored by DVSSP and First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County.
Earlier this year on Jan. 20, DVSSP staged a “Purple Out” during a girls’ basketball game at Jefferson-Morgan High School. DVSSP put up signs and manned a table at the game and passed out literature on the subject of teen dating violence, the cheerleaders laced their shoes with purple ribbons and the players wore purple ribbons and headbands.
During the month of February, DVSSP is going into the schools to talk about dating violence and abuse. The organization has already contacted two school districts about visits and would like to bring all four on board. On Monday morning, Feb. 9, DVSSP staff will visit Jefferson-Morgan and speak to several different classes and pass out literature on the issue. They will follow up with a visit to West Greene the morning of Feb. 18.
“One of our goals is to educate the public about teen dating violence,” Schwoerer said. “We will continue to go into the schools with different programs for kindergarten through high school age students. We believe that, if we educate early enough, we can help prevent abuse from occurring.”
DVSSP is also offering to hold programs for organizations such as book clubs, cheerleading and library groups and speak on topics like bullying, cyber-bullying, dating violence and creating healthy relationships. The organization also attends events such as Rain Day and fairs where they set up tables, answer questions and pass out literature on the subject.
“Our nationwide motto, ‘Love is respect,’ basically teaches boys and girls to respect one another and have a healthy relationship,” Schwoerer said.
DVSSP offers a wide range of services including empowerment counseling, support groups, emergency shelter, transitional housing, help with protection from abuse orders and a hotline available 24/7 to anyone in an abusive relationship. The number to call is 800-791-4000.
“For those who phone the hotline, we listen and talk to them, reassure them that all information is confidential and offer them options for having a safe place to go,” Schwoerer said.
“Our office at 43 N. Morgan Street in Waynesburg is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and available to anyone needing help be it an individual suffering from abuse or their friend or relative.”
The number for the Greene County DVSSP office is 724-852-2463.