Family Advocacy office educates teens on dating violence

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Whitney Stanfield
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 4th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy Office and base youth center have partnered up with the Wayne Uplift domestic violence shelter located in Goldsboro, N.C., to provide base youth with a "Teen Dating Violence Awareness" seminar, Feb. 21.

The seminar stems from a program entitled "Safe Dates." This program empowers young people to develop healthy relationships throughout their lives and engage in activities that teach prevention and response to teen dating violence. The seminar also raises awareness about how serious dating violence is in high school, college and communities across the nation.
"If you are a parent of a teen, we cannot emphasize the importance of you encouraging your teen to attend this seminar," said Jerome Ellis, 4th MDOS family advocacy outreach manager. "Together we can end the cycle of violence that has the potential to overwhelm our community."

According to futureswithoutviolence.org, approximately one in three adolescent girls in the United States are a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from their dating partner. One out of five teens ages 11 to 14 say their friends are victims of dating violence and nearly half of teen relationships are abused verbally.

In 2008, the U.S. Senate declared the first week of February as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week."

The Senate expanded the observance by declaring February the "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month." 

Likewise, the U.S. Air Force recognizes the importance of teen dating violence prevention and participation n eduational events during this month is mandatory for all installations. The family advocacy office objective is to facilitate awareness and promote prevention and support because they know the teen community here is not immune to dating violence.

Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy relationship. For more information about the seminar call 919-722-0502. To talk to someone about relationship abuse call the Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799- SAFE (7233).