As of February 25th, I have presented to three high school groups and have collected messages from them, also while tabling at the UA production of the Vagina Monologues, and from friends and family. I am hoping to print the first batch of door hangers next month!
Do Not Disturb - A Message On Teen Dating Abuse
Submitted by mitchkaj on Sun, 11/15/2009 - 13:15
the problem:
I am trying to raise awareness of dating abuse. I want more teens to know the warning signs and have someone or somewhere to go to if they feel they have been victimized. I want to spread positive and empowering messages to those who feel stuck in an abusive relationship.
vital stats:
people impacted:
1,000people involved:
3why it's important:
When I was younger, my sister got beaten up by her boyfriend. It was horrifying. It was very inspiring to see her break it off with that guy, move on and improve her life. Then I got into my first serious relationship and realized that there were forms of abuse that leave scars on the psyche as well as the body. Emotional abuse can be so subtle, and the abuser can be so manipulative that it is difficult to identify. It was really hard to get out of my emotionally abusive relationship, but I felt much stronger after I did. I want to help teens realize that all forms of abuse are wrong and that they don't have to let anyone mistreat them, so they can avoid what my sister and too many other people have experienced.
the plan of action:
I plan to meet with various groups of teens through middle and high school clubs and youth centers to discuss dating abuse, presenting them with statistics and other information. I will educate them on different manifestations of abuse, and ask them to write words of support to victims of abuse. With their permission, poignant snippets of these writing assignments will be collected and later printed on Do Not Disturb door hangers that will be distributed throughout Tucson where teens are likely to encounter them, including schools, churches, youth centers and restaurants. Each door hanger will include the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline and link to an online comment box where anyone can submit their own messages to victims of dating abuse. These new messages will then be used in the next set of hangers that will be printed and distributed. This will happen several times until materials/resources run out.
how you can get involved:
Others can help by sharing the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (866-331-9474) to anyone they think may be in an abusive relationship, or by directing them to the nearest Safe Place in their area. To help in relation to my project, others can submit their own messages on dating violence to be printed on future door hangers that will be distributed to areas where teens will encounter them.
project updates:
02/25/2010
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Comments
Cingrats!!! :)
i mean congrats!!! :)
Thanks!
thats so nice me and my club are trying to do a project similar to this one very good love....!!!!!!ALL SMILES!!!!!