One in three teens in the US is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner. As part of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (February), the Sudbury- Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable is presenting two programs aimed at building community awareness, preventing dating abuse and supporting people who might need help from friends, family or another member of their community. Both events are free and open to the public.
- On Wednesday, February 3 from 7-8:15 PM, the Roundtable is hosting Relationships in the Age of Reality TV: Talking with Teens About Healthy Dating Relationships. While it seems like spotting abuse in a dating relationship should be easy, controlling and manipulative behavior often appears to be kind, loving and even surprisingly vulnerable at first glance. Designed for parents/guardians, educators, youth advisors and other adults in the community, this workshop will look at ways to help young people deepen their understanding of what is – and is not — healthy and respectful in a dating relationship. We also will focus on how teens AND adults can recognize dating abuse and know how to respond if you see, hear about, or experience it. This program will be facilitated by Roundtable board member Julie Youdovin, Outreach & Program Coordinator at Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s Journey to Safety program. Registration for this event is required, and can be completed here or on the Roundtable’s Website.
- On Tuesday, February 9 at 3pm, the Roundtable is hosting Lighting the Way: A Teen Panel on Dating Abuse Prevention and Awareness. In this program, local teens will discuss their efforts to educate their peers about healthy and unhealthy dating relationships, as well as provide insight into what they want parents, teachers and other adults to know about teen dating abuse. The panelists will also share their thoughts about how adults can partner with teens in working both to support young people who need help and to end dating abuse in our communities. Registration for this event is required, and can be completed here.
For more information, please visit www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org or email infodvrt@gmail.com.
