In Other Words...
To Whom It May Concern:
Every February, we encourage at least one of our Peer Educators to write a Letter to the Editor of the Longmont Times Call Newspaper. Our Peer Ed, Tessa, wrote an amazing letter – a call to action to parents.
Here’s just a peak:
“So, what can you do to protect your children? Talk to them. Simply let them know you are there for them with any questions they may have or even just to talk. Show them. Model healthy relationships in your own life and teach them what love is. Even if you are positive your child could never be abused, why not do these things anyway?”
Read her full letter here.
Seventeen Magazine Steps It Up
Abusive relationships have been in the news a lot lately. It’s always important to be talking about it. When I read the article about relationship abuse in the newest Seventeen Magazine, I was totally psyched about what they had to say. They gave a lot of great insight on how to help a friend who is experiencing relationship abuse and how to pick up warning signs. I highly suggest reading this article and joining TERA to learn even more about how to help prevent relationship abuse.
“I Don’t Really Need to Know This”
After every presentation we give at a school, we pass out evaluations. These help us get an idea about how the presenters did, how the information was received, and if students learned something. We ask “What did you like the most/the least about the presentation?” As the Director of the TERA program, I enter these evaluations into an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of how the program is doing for our own benefit, but also to provide our funders with info saying, “Hey, TERA is doing a great job!”
I was sort of shocked when I came across this comment:
“I don’t know anyone who has been abused and the people I’m around don’t abuse others…so I don’t really need to know this…”
Once I got over my initial hurt feelings (Yes, sometimes I take the negative comments about presentations personally. I just am really passionate about this program!), I tried to look at it objectively. This students’ voice is one of many!
Let’s think about it this way:
- 77% of teens who were in a violent relationship never told anyone about the abuse.
- 81% percent of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue.
Ok, so not surprising that people don’t think this issue is important. Many victims of dating abuse aren’t talking about it. When parents don’t think something is an issue, they don’t talk about it either and they aren’t responsive when their child is confronted with relationship abuse. There is a totally hushed nature about the subject of dating abuse! We NEED to talk about it.
And here’s why:
- About 72% of 8th and 9th graders are “dating.”
- 1 in 3 teens is a victim of sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner.
- 1 in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
That’s not like 1 in a million. That’s your friend, your classmate, your sibling, your neighbor.
And that’s something we really do need to know about.
Stats brought to you by LoveIsRespect.org.