During February, designated Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church Youth participated in an interactive skit to explore unhealthy dating relationships. The performance was facilitated by Fayette Cares staff as an ongoing effort to prevent abuse and spark social change.
Violent behavior typically begins between the ages of 12 and 18. Some, especially tweens and teens, misinterpret jealousy, possessiveness, and anger as signs of intense passion and devotion. One of the best ways to prevent domestic abuse is to talk to about what it takes to create and maintain healthy relationships. “It’s important to educate and empower youth to envision and create a world free of abuse,” says Fayette Cares Executive Director Alexandra Wardlaw.
To engage youth the domestic violence intervention program of Fayette Cares uses tools like an interactive skit which depicts a young girl, her abusive boyfriend and responses from community members including parents, friends, teachers, police officers, doctors, judges, etc. Students are given the opportunity to explore characteristics of unhealthy and healthy relationships, warning signs of abuse, how to help a friend in an unhealthy relationship, and more.
Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that approximately one in three adolescent girls in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence. Studies have also found 26% of teens in relationships were victims of cyber dating abuse. Females were twice as likely to be victims as males.
Fayette Cares can provide information and options for those new to dating as well as those who have celebrated many anniversaries. To learn how you can get help or help others, contact the Fayette Cares Victim Advocate at (901) 465-3802 x 225 or advocate@fayettecares.org. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, 24-hour help is available by calling (901) 466-0015.
This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee. Fayette Cares is a United Way agency.
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St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church Youth participated in an interactive skit about a young girl, her abusive boyfriend and the people in their community. Reading his lines is Hayden Weber and seated to his left are Autumn and Hayden Hughes, and Gabe Threet.
