Teen dating violence informational dinner Feb. 4 at Orofino Best Western
A Teen Dating Violence Community Informational Dinner will be held at the Best Western Lodge at River's Edge Conference Center Monday, Feb. 4.
A full course dinner with dessert will be served at 6:30 p.m. The event is free of charge for the first 100 people. A limited number of seats are available. If you are interested in attending, RSVP to James Walker at (208) 816-2911.
Affecting one out of every five teens in a relationship, teen dating violence is a serious problem with staggering statistics: 40% of teenage girls between the ages of 14-17 report knowing someone their age that has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
One in three female high school students in a dating relationship fear for their safety. One in two teens in a dating relationship compromises their beliefs to please their partner. One in five teens in a dating relationship are hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner. That is only part of the story. The other part is what is being done about it.
With a motto of "No Means Know," the Idaho Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Project is now moving into its second year. The project reminds teens to know the warning signs of teen dating violence for themselves and their friends, and for educators and parents to know them as well.
Jeff Matsushita from the Idaho Coalition against Sexual and Domestic Violence will be the keynote speaker. James Walker, OHS Senior and board member on the Idaho Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Awareness Council, will also speak.
James Walker is now going into his second year serving on the council and working on the awareness and prevention project. Explaining the importance of the project, Walker said, "Most people don't realize how important an issue like teen dating violence is. Oftentimes, people don't realize when dating violence is occurring until it's too late." Walker also went on to say that he is excited about being able to organize a large dinner to inform the community about this issue, and he hopes that every parent, teacher, youth advocate, or even just a concerned citizen will come.
The community informational dinner isn't the only activity that Walker will be involved in during Idaho Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Awareness Week, Feb. 4-8.
On Monday morning, Walker, along with Matsushita will be presenting to the junior and senior high school students at Orofino High School. On Tuesday, Matsushita and Walker will meet up with fellow teen dating violence awareness and prevention council member BJ Allen from Kooskia as they will be presenting at Grangeville High School. They will be at Prairie High School on Wednesday, Clearwater Valley High School on Thursday, and Kamiah High School on Friday.
“Last year I kept the activities local and did a small community forum in the high school cafeteria, because I was just fresh into the project," Walker said, "I didn't feel like I was ready to branch out and make larger presentations like the informational dinner we are doing this year, or doing assemblies at area schools. Since this will be my last year serving on the council, I thought it was best to go out with a bang. I will present to as many people as possible and spread the awareness of teen dating violence, hopefully, preventing someone from getting hurt."
While acts of physical violence such as pushing, shoving, or hitting are blatant, emotional control and verbal abuse are less obvious, though equally indicative of an abusive relationship, according to Walker.
Red flags in a teen dating relationship that are violent include: one partner constantly checking up on the other; one partner blaming the other for their problems; teens isolating themselves from other friends and family; or one partner threatening to hurt him/herself if the to other indicates he/she wants to break up.
After becoming educated to recognize the signs for teen dating violence, Walker says he is much more aware of those around him. Behavior that once may have gone unnoticed now stands out, and recognizing what's happening around us is a step toward change.
"After my first year of presenting in Orofino, and educating the community about this issue, I have had lots of people come up to me in school and ask me for help in their relationships. I'm happy to know that my peers feel comfortable coming to me and expressing their concern(s) with me. Often, they don't tell anyone, because they don't feel completely comfortable going to a counselor or talking to an adult about it. They feel they will not understand," Walker said, "and that is why I wanted to get involved. If I can help someone, in any way, get out of a dangerous situation like a violent relationship, I will."
With an opportunity such as the community informational dinner, Walker hopes others will take the time to learn about the issue. "We, as teens, (the Idaho Teen Dating Violence Advisory Council) have done our part, and now we are asking you to do yours," Walker said. While Idaho is not that big, Walker says it has a high rate of teen dating violence, and that's something he wants to see change.
This year, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have again declared the first full week of February "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week."
This resolution calls on government representatives and agencies, private organizations and public officials to promote activities in their communities that raise awareness about the high incidence of teen dating violence.
The Idaho Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Project is funded by a two-year statewide grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.